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| West Georgia Tech Athletics |
| Golden Knights |
It's the top of the fifth inning of a recent West Georgia Technical College baseball game. Ace
pitcher Cody Skinner is on the mound, breezing through the opposition's line-up with pinpoint
that includes four different pitches he can throw for strikes.
If you listen closely, you can hear the faint sound of an old gospel hymn being sung between
pitches. Yes, Skinner is singing. He says it is something he has done throughout his baseball
career.
"It's all about being in a rhythm, and if I feel like I am cruising then I'll start singing or humming 'I'll
Fly Away'," the Ranburne, Ala., native said. "It's always that song. I'm not sure why I picked that
one but it is something that I've done for as long as I can remember."
Skinner has been humming frequently this inaugural season for the Golden Knights. He is without
question the ace of the staff, having earned a team-best 10 starts so far this season.
Skinner has a 5-4 record with a 2.85 earned run average. But his most impressive stat is his 85
strikeouts in 52.2 innings of work, making him the strikeout leader in the National Club Baseball
Association. His closest competitor is Chris Tonner of the University of Arizona's club team, with
71.
In fact, if you look at the statistics for all of junior college baseball, Skinner would rank fourth in
the nation in strikeouts.
years of professional baseball experience, 12 in Major League Baseball. He believes Skinner has
what it takes to pitch on the collegiate Division I level.
"Cody has been outstanding for us all year, and it looks like he is ready to take the next step,"
Pratt said. "He has just been so dominant against NCBA competition. We are excited for him, for
his future. And we feel like he can help us advance in the postseason this year."
Skinner, who plays third base when he isn't on the mound, has attracted attention from Southern
Poly, Jacksonville State and University of West Georgia, to name a few. He intends to pursue a
baseball career at a four-year institution, where he plans to study Education with the intent of
becoming a high school teacher and coach.
"I've always had the mentality of a coach, and I've always loved sports," he said. "If I have the
opportunity to help one of my teammates do something better, I relish that moment. I've been
helping Adam Thomas with his pitching some this season."
Skinner holds a 3.4 grade point average at West Georgia Tech, where he is taking classes which
will help him pursue an Education degree at a four-year institution. He says his experience in the
classroom at West Georgia Tech has been rewarding.
"I've really learned a lot here," he said. "Everyone at this college, from the administration, to the
teachers and faculty, to the custodians, they have all been very nice and helpful - every one of
them."
He is confident that he knows what he wants to do for a living, once his playing career is behind
him.
"I can't wait to be a teacher and coach a high school team," he said. "I've always believed that if I
am going to do something for the rest of my life, then it better be something that I love. I love
kids, in fact I am ready to have some now. I want three, but my girlfriend wants two. But no matter
what, I'll be around kids for as long as I live."
Skinner came to West Georgia Tech after enrolling for the fall semester at Southern Union,
where he planned to play baseball. But he didn't feel comfortable at the school and decided to
come back home and enroll at West Georgia Tech. His baseball career, as far as he knew, was
over.
Two quarters into his academic career at WGTC, Skinner learned that the school planned to
start a baseball program. He says he filled out the interest form twice, fearing WGTC athletic
director Walter Dunson did not receive the first one.
"This whole experience has been like a dream - it's really been surreal," he said. "I remember
that first meeting in October when I met Coach Pratt and the rest of the guys, little did I know at
the time how close we would all become and how quickly we would establish this program.
"From day one, we have emphasized the word 'family.' That is not just a cliché', it's as real as it
gets. Most of my teammates have to work part-time to pay for classes, and we don't have
scholarships. We are all playing because we love the game, and we are going to class here
because we want to have a good future for ourselves and our families. There is a common bond
here."
Skinner hopes to lead West Georgia Tech to a conference championship this season, something
that is almost unthinkable considering the program did not exist until that meeting in October. But
the Knights, ranked sixth in the NCBA Division II, are on the cusp of doing just that.
Beat No. 4 Kennesaw State this Saturday, and the Golden Knights will win the District IV-West
conference championship outright and receive an automatic berth in the four-team region
playoffs, set for next week in Union, N.C. If West Georgia Tech loses that game, they will be
co-champions and will likely receive an at-large berth to the playoffs.
Regardless of the outcome of that game and of the season, Skinner has no doubts about what
he'll be doing down the road.
Skinner knows a thing or two about winning titles, having come from Ranburne High School, a
baseball powerhouse in the state of Alabama. Skinner was a young pitcher on Ranburne's 2006
state championship team. He also helped Ranburne go unbeaten in conference games over a
three year period.
In that championship season in 2006, Skinner was the fourth starter on a team which featured
standout pitchers Chase Whitley (currently with the New York Yankees farm system) and Chase
Smith (currently a relief pitcher for Jacksonville State).
Skinner's 6 foot, 3 inch frame made him a natural on the basketball court during his high school
career, averaging 24.4 points per game throughout his career.
The story here is that despite all of his accolades and achievements in high school, Skinner
thought a year ago his baseball career was over. West Georgia Tech provided an opportunity for
him not only to earn an education and prepare for his future, but also to revive and reinvigorate
him on the field.
Seven months and 85 strikeouts later, he has taken full advantage of that opportunity.
For anyone who loves West Georgia Tech and believes in its mission, that is something to sing
about
| News Releases |
| SWEET MUSIC: WEST GEORGIA TECH'S CODY SKINNER ENJOYING STANDOUT SEASON |