Former Lady Tigers all-star wraps up college career

Former Mountain Home High School graduate Nickayla Skinner put the wraps on a very successful collegiate softball career last month.

The 2010 Mountain Home High School Graduate signed with the College of Idaho in the spring of 2010.

The two-time high school Gator Aid Player of the Year says she had no idea of the success her four years at the College of Idaho would bring.

"Coming out of high school is hard because you don't necessarily know the competition or level of play. I was extremely nervous going in and just wanted to do my best.

"I knew C of I had some great pitchers before me, so I was just hoping to be able to hold my own on the field. Records weren't even a priority."

College of Idaho head softball coach Al Mendiola considered himself and the College of Idaho lucky to signed Skinner, and chuckled about how it came about.

"I didn't even know anything about Nickayla until our pitching coach and I went to Bishop Kelly to watch Britany Croner, and what we saw (from Skinner, who was a freshman) that day, we knew she was going to be something special.

"We were just hoping that she would progress as she got older, and boy, look at her now -- eight years later, she's one of the best, if not the best pitcher in the nation.

"Could I have said she would have accomplished what she accomplished? I knew she was a good pitcher, but man, what she did, it was unbelievable! I don't know that I can sit here and say, 'Oh yeah, I knew she was going to do it'."

Skinner looked back on her four years at the College of Idaho with fond memories.

"It's been the most amazing experience I could have asked for. The support from the school and the people who were behind the team were wonderful. The team ended up being my best friends and basically sisters. I honestly think I'm so lucky to have experienced such a great group of girls, and a wonderful four years."

Coach Mendiola paid Skinner a great compliment about her competitiveness, saying, "when Nickayla loses a heartbreaker, you don't want to be the next team to have to face her, and she proves it every time."

"I am very competitive," said Skinner.

"I want to work hard for my team, and if I have a bad outing, I want to make sure I go out stronger the next time. A loss can be tough to mentally bounce back from. I feel that I set the mood as a pitcher. I should go out the next time with not only a positive attitude, but an extra competitiveness. I hate losing!"

An example of that was the Coyote's opener at nationals (officially it's the Coyotes, but C of I teams are usually referred to as 'Yotes).

She had a perfect game into the eighth inning before she hit a batter, and did not give up a hit until there were two out in the ninth, when the batter hit one out of the ball park. That was the only hit she gave up, but the Lady 'Yotes, who had four hits in the game, were not able to get anyone past second base.

Yet, she bounced back to throw shutouts against her next two opponents, who each had just four losses on the season.

"I was very upset," said Skinner of that 1-0 loss to open the nationals. "It was tough to lose the very first outing, but I think it made us want to come back strong and prove ourselves. There was no way we were going two and out.

"As a pitcher, it was a heartbreaker for me, but ultimately, I think it may have helped us play hard and compete in the games after."

The 'Yotes took a 5-2 lead into the seventh in their next game, only to have Wilson Carey get three straight hits, including a two-run home run to tie the game at 5-5.

C of I had chances to win it in the seventh, eighth, and ninth, but it was a home run in the ninth that ended the Lady 'Yotes season, 6-5, thus tying for fifth place in the national NAIA World Series tourney.

Despite the setback, Skinner said the season was one she and her teammates will never forget.

"I always say it was a dream season. No one expected us to go out and compete the way we did, and that made our success that much sweeter. The last loss was tough, but it was harder to say goodbye. I think the season ended on a high note and we were so happy and grateful. I know I felt so lucky and happy with everything that happened."

Looking at stats and school records, observers have to start by looking at Skinner with a bat in her hand. Her .328 career batting average is the fifth highest. Her 146 career hits puts her in a tie for fifth. Her 86 RBIs ties her for fourth, her 33 doubles, second, and her 15 home runs is third highest.

It is in the circle, however, that she really excelled. Her career earned run average of 1.90 is second. Her 83 wins is a school record, with 42 the next best. Her 131 pitching appearances is a record by 51. Her innings pitched is 770.2 innings, with 451 the next best.

She also leads the team in starts with 113, along with 99 complete games and 913 strikeouts. Skinner even leads the team in career saves with six.

So what does the future hold for Nickayla Skinner?

"My degree is in business marketing," she said. "Right now, I am trying to take a break and see where I am at mentally in regards to playing at another level. Maybe eventually I will try out for a professional team. I am just currently trying to find a job in marketing and eventually move to California."

Regardless of what she decides to pursue in the future, you can bet she will attack it with the same competitiveness that has made her a huge success on the softball field.