The Skyline Tigers have played for a district championship the past three seasons. After winning a district title two years ago, the Tigers were denied back-to-back district crowns last spring on a walk-off homerun that gave Tipton a heartbreaking 4-2 victory over the stunned Tigers, whose season ended with a 17-12 record.
The bulk of last year’s team received a diploma last May and will need to be replaced. In all, seven players were lost to graduation, including six starters.
The biggest losses were a pair of first team all-conference selections in pitcher Ethan DaMitz (7-1, 2.00 ERA), the Tigers’ workhorse ace, and catcher Drew Flagg (.506 BA, 6 2B, 4HR, 41 H, 34 RBI, 24 SB), one of the top all around players in the entire area.
In addition, the entire starting outfield was lost with the departures of Corbin Cole (.429 BA, 33 H, 25 SB), a first team all-conference honoree, first team all-district selection Johnny Davis, and Lane Wisdom. In addition, first baseman Trey West and base running specialist Austin McCormick will be missed.
With so many starters needing to be replaced, fourth-year head coach Brett Bybee will be relying upon several younger players to fill key roles for the team. Bybee will also be looking to his three returning starters for production and leadership.
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Senior Kyler Bybee (.287 BA, 5 2B, 22 H, 14 RBI, 18 SB), who garnered honorable mention all-conference recognition last season, suffered an off-season shoulder injury that required surgery. While Bybee is expected to return to form as a left-handed batting middle infielder, pitching will be out of the question this season.
Sophomore Brant Gideon started last year at second base as a freshman, and also saw time on the mound for the Tigers. While Gideon was more content to sit back and let the seniors take the lead a year ago, he will need to up his production this season. Fellow classmate Mason Lile (.297 BA, 25 H, 16 RBI, 8 SB) played third base for the Tigers last season, but will return to his more familiar position of first base this season.
Filling other key spots for the Tigers this season will be senior catcher Caleb McGrady and senior outfielder Chase Phillips, along with sophomores Brydon Carter (C/MI) and Bobby Williams (OF). Junior Kale Mabary also figures to play a key role.
A host of newcomers will see action immediately, including a couple of players returning from injuries in senior Speed Ford (ACL tear) and the speedy and athletic Shane Crawford (shoulder). Several freshmen newcomers should play varsity right away, including pitcher/corner infielder Paden Hodges, pitcher/outfielder Tryor Russell, and 6-4 Zane Salley. Other newcomers include sophomores Marshall Cox and Tommy Montgomery, and freshmen Zach McClurg and Ryan Nelson.
“The young guns are here and they are ready for some baseball,” said Coach Bybee. “These young players play with lots of enthusiasm and excitement, which couldn’t have come at a better time. We lost a majority of our team last year and have to reload almost everywhere. We will have several learning points and games this year, but with these eager young men wanting to learn and prepare for their chance at a district title I think we have a chance.
“Situational coaching will be key for (assistant) coach (Gary) Lile and I,” added Coach Bybee. “Making these younger players relax and feel comfortable in a pressure game will be huge for us. We will not rely on the homerun for runs. We will manufacture and play good defense. When we finish our new baseball field that has lots of room in the outfield we will look for extra base hits and being aggressive on the bases.”
The Tigers opened the season with a 23-7 win over Halfway Friday night, before dropping a pair of games at Class 2 #10-ranked Galena on Saturday. Skyline will open Mid-Lakes Conference action on March 28 by hosting Strafford. Both games against Marionville and Stockton, arguably the Mid-Lakes favorites, will be on the road.
