By Liz Contreras
The Piedmont Wildcats saw an incredible season under Coach Adam Skokowski. They competed their way into the Yukon Regional, where Coach Skokowski says even after losing to Yukon on the first day of the tournament the team never lost their passion for the sport of baseball. They continued the tournament playing five games in about a 50-hour period, taking the win and earning their place in the state tournament despite personal and group adversity.
“Seeing the excitement and smiles throughout the tournament in the dugout will be what I always remember,” said Skokowski.
Junior Jarret Isennock and freshman Blaine Hollingshead came in at the beginning of the season with a clear intention to be a part of the lineup. Coach Skokowski said prior to the season he wasn’t sure who would step up and get a lot of time, but it quickly became apparent when Isennock displayed a willingness to play first base, ultimately starting at 1B the entire season and hitting in the heart of the lineup. Blaine Hollingshead all but forced himself into a role as a starter and proved himself as a valuable fifth outfielder to the lineup, which Coach Skokowski said in his nearly 21 years as a coach had never happened before.
During the state tournament, the Piedmont Wildcats employed a strategic defensive approach. They won against Stillwater 3-2, where senior catcher Lindley threw a complete game with only three intentional walks to key player Ethan Holliday, denying him a chance to ignite their offense. The Wildcats recognized the offensive threat and chose to eliminate the risk he posed, even if that meant putting a runner on base. Offensively, the team relied on subtle and strategic plays, creating pressure and manufacturing runs.
Though the team lost to the eventual state champion during the semi-finals, they showcased pitching excellence from start to finish. Pitcher Drake May gave up all three runs in one inning but quickly recovered, shutting down Edmond Santa Fe and keeping his team in the game. The team rallied in the sixth inning, scoring their first run on an RBI single by Zane Pruitt and second on an error by Jack Guinn. It was a game of inches when Jarret Isennock hit a line drive to right field with runners on 2nd and 3rd but hit just a little too hard and into the hands of the RF. Coach Skokowski said there were several moments like this that may have changed the outcome of the game, but they fell just shy in the end. Despite the loss, Skokowski says he could not be any more proud of the amazing kids who have proven themselves to be great baseball players, too.
The Wildcats did not display that relentless spirit just on the field, but in the dugout as well. Coach Skokowski said that even members of the team who were not everyday starters contributed to the overall morale and positive energy of the team.
“These guys didn’t bring the dugout down when they weren’t in the lineup; they lifted it up,” said Skokowski.
As for which players to look out for next season, Coach Skokowski’s answer is simple: “All of them.” With every starter returning, he is confident in both the talent and the unified identity that his team has built. But more than the skill, it is their experience that is paramount.
“Players can have all the tools in the world but having experience to draw from in the most stressful situations is a separator,” said Skokowski.
