CALDWELL, Idaho - College of Idaho softball coach Al Mendiola announced today the signing of 2009 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year, Nickayla Skinner, to an NAIA Letter of Intent, for the 2011 season.
Skinner, from Mountain Home High, just completed her senior season, leading the Tigers to their second-straight 4A state championship. A four-time All-Southern Idaho Conference selection, she was dominant at the plate and in the circle this season – going 25-1 with a 0.82 ERA and 328 strikeouts (with 22 games with ten or more strikeouts), while hitting .653 with 17 home runs, 19 doubles, and 72 RBI, with a 1.408 slugging percentage.
“Nickayla has been the most dominant player in the 4A ranks over the past two seasons,” said Mendiola. “She is truly a double-threat – she can beat you with her arm and she can beat you with her bat. She will be a big asset for the Coyotes in 2011.”
As a junior, Skinner led MHHS to their first-ever team state title in any sport, going 25-2 with a 0.42 ERA and 302 strikeouts in the circle, while hitting .505 with 12 homers and 51 RBI at the plate, earning the honors as the top player in Idaho – all classifications.
Skinner is also a quality student, earning Southern Idaho Conference All-Academic Team honors each of her four years. She also plays club softball for the Magic Valley Sooners, who won the 2009 Class “B” Western National Championships.