By Chris Parker
Expectations for high for Skyline baseball going into the 2020 season. The Tigers were coming off back-to-back final four appearances and were ranked No. 1 in Class 2 in the preseason state rankings.
Then the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was a heck of a year to not have a season. It was the first time in school history to be preseason ranked No. 1. We had a shot to do really well,” Skyline coach Brett Bybee said.
Skyline graduated just three players from that team including Dax Beem, Gage Gunter and Travis Johnson.
That means, despite the lost year, Skyline will still have an experienced group returning.
Leading that group is senior Ty Pinon. Pinon earned second-team all-state honors as a pitcher his sophomore year.
“Ty has started since he was a freshman. He got to be a big part in making it to the final four for the first time in school history. He is our number one guy on the mound and a big offensive bat for us batting in the third spot,” Bybee said.
Pinon threw 63 innings as a sophomore with 113 strikeouts and a 1.56 ERA. At the plate, he hit.338 with a .557 on-base percentage while driving in 14 runs.
Four more seniors in Sam Fillipi, Nick Williams, Zane Kelley and Antonio Irizarry also return to the team.
Fillipi hit .247 with a .414 on-base percentage in 2019. He knocked in 16 runs and scored 22. He also threw 16 1/3 innings with 26 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA.
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“Sam will start for us at first base,” Bybee said. “He has a very good lefty glove, athletic range and brings a lot of knowledge and vocals to our team. (He) plays with fiery energy that helps us be prepared for each game.”
Williams posted a .400 on-base percentage with 12 RBI and 15 runs scored as a sophomore.
“Nick will start for us in left field and be our four-hole hitter,” Bybee said. “He does a great job with producing RBI’s in the four-hole. Nick has a lot of experience in the outfield but can also play infield if needed.”
Kelley tied for the team lead with 17 RBI in his sophomore season while hitting .261.
“Zane will play shortstop and bat (in the) two-hole for us. He is a great team leader and a coach’s dream. (He) comes early into practice and stays after, and does whatever it takes for him to be the best for his team,” Bybee said.
Irizarry won’t be able to play his senior season after tearing his ACL and meniscus in the district football championship. He would’ve pitched and played outfield.
Juniors Dawson Pitts, Zach Williams and Dawson Owen are three more returning players. Pitts and Owen each saw limited varsity action in 2019.
“(Pitts) has a lot of potential. Not sure if he knows how good he could really be. (His) defense and pitching is really good. We look forward to seeing some growth offensively,” Bybee said. “We look to (Williams) to be our lead off and bring speed to the bases. Will take on catching duties and help strive our pitchers to be better on the mound. (Owen) has been training as a catcher, but we look for him to play some corner infield and outfield this year. We hope to get several innings from him on the mound as well.”
Trent Pinon will make an impact in his sophomore season.
“(He is an) up and coming team leader for the Tigers. (He) works extremely hard in the weight room, on his pitching, and on his hitting. He has spent a lot of time on the field and watching his brother Ty be successful for the Tigers. He will be in the outfield and pitch for us this year,” Bybee said.
Junior Kaine Zenter along with sophomores Clayton Groniger and Jordan Long and freshmen Cohen Mashburn, Zach Kelley, Valen Wylot and Brendan White will all compete for varsity innings.
Groniger will play the outfield and pitch. Mashburn will be a corner infielder and pitcher. Kelley will see time in the outfield and pitch.
“The outlook for the Tigers looks promising this season,” Bybee said. “Once again we have strong senior leadership on the field and some new key role players that will combine for another exciting season for the Tigers. It’s always tough in the Mid-Lakes Conference, but playing the quality teams we play during the season always prepares us to be competitive in the postseason. This group of seniors has a chance to go to the final four every year which would be a really special achievement. This off-season, the coaches and players have been communicating on how to sharpen our play and new schemes we could try out this season, which has also created a lot of excitement and anticipation for this season.”
Skyline opens its season on Mar. 19 at Macks Creek.
