Piedmont Baseball
When the first pitch is thrown to open the 2025 season, the Piedmont Wildcats, under the leadership of coach Adam Skokowski, will enter the season with confidence and an eagerness to get back on the field. Skokowski believes this team gained valuable experience last year and expects them to continue building on the success of 2024.
“This team is coming off a season where we won our district and was one game away from going to state in our first year in Class 6A. We were young last year, starting five sophomores and one freshman. The strength of this year’s team should be in our pitching staff. We are returning our No. 1 and have a lot of experienced junior and sophomore pitching coming back. How well we do this year will depend on how we work to execute team offense and how well we control the things we can control and handle adversity,” said Skokowski.
The pitching rotation is solid with Catcher Lindley back on the bump. Lindley was outstanding last season on the mound going 5-0 with 47 strikeouts in 43 2/3rds innings pitched. Lindley carried a 1.76 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
“He never had an easy day in his season going against every opposing teams No. 1 on Monday of every week. He started against Ponca City, Tulsa Union, Enid, Westmoore, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Bishop Kelley, and Norman North. Catcher sat 86-88 and touched 92 last season,” said Skokowski.
Other players like Jack Guinn and Braden Dougherty, who bring a skill set that will help this team win games. Dougherty has battled through some adversity but found his way into the pitching rotation and will be a big factor for the Wildcats this season. Guinn has continued to work hard in the offseason to improve his hitting after spending last season as the DH.
“Jack is out done by no one. His character is exceptional. He is the type of kid you would want your daughter to marry. Jack can also play. He was our DH and closer all of last year. As a sophomore he hit .287 with, 5 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI and was 4-1 on the mound with 4 S, 26 2/3 IP, 29 SO, 24 BB, 4.98 ERA,” said Skokowski.
Keep an eye on Pryce McClure who can play shortstop or third base. McClure enters his sophomore season after hitting .312 with an OBP of .436 as a freshman. He drove in 13 runs and scored 19 of his own, but it’s his fielding percentage that stands out. McClure carried a fielding percentage of .905 in 95 chances with 41 attempts and 45 POs. Despite his age, McClure has shown a lot of maturity at the varsity level.
Everyone has March 1st date circled on the calendar when Piedmont goes on the road to Stillwater for a 1 p.m. game to open the season. Tournaments on the schedule this season include trips to the Edmond Spring Break Festival, Rogers, AR Festival, Newcastle Festival, Northwest Optimist Tournament, and the F&M Bank Festival.
