Sports
Northwest’s Ryan Skalnik Signs to Play Baseball at Missouri State
Photo courtesy of Northwest Sports Information
Northwest Mississippi Community College all-conference second baseman Ryan Skalnik has signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Missouri State University next season.
Skalnik is the fourth Division I signee from last year’s sophomore class and 10th Ranger to move on to a four-year program this offseason.
“I feel blessed just to have this opportunity,” Skalnik said. “Ever since the season ended, I felt like I was talented enough to continue my career at the Division I level. Now that I have that opportunity, I’m ready to give it my all and showcase my abilities.”
After transferring in last fall from Neosho County Community College, the Owasso, Okla., native was one of the Rangers’ leading hitters in 2016 all while battling multiple injuries.
Skalnik finished the year hitting .318 with nine doubles, a team-leading six home runs and 33 RBIs in 45 starts. He had 13 multi-hit and eight multi-RBI games to go along with a 25-game reached base streak during the year. He added 28 walks, seven hit-by-pitches and seven stolen bases for a .440 on-base percentage, second-best on the team, and fielded .937 in 175 chances.
As a freshman at Neosho, he played in 28 games at second base, hitting .246 with three doubles, one home run, 10 RBIs and 13 runs scored and fielded .941 in 85 chances. The Panthers finished with a 42-16 record and played for the Central District Championship.
Valedictorian of his class, Skalnik was a two-time all-conference and all-state selection at Verdigris High School in Oklahoma. He helped the Cardinals to a 31-6 record, its third consecutive Class 3A state championship and fifth straight regional title his senior year.
Missouri State is two years removed from playing in a NCAA Super Regional and has appeared in nine NCAA regionals in program history. The Bears have produced 37 All-Americans and 17 MLB players, including five first-round picks, and have posted a winning record in 44 of the last 49 seasons.
Learn more about the Northwest baseball program on Twitter @NWCCBaseball or online at www.nwccrangers.com.
Courtesy Kevin Maloney and Northwest Sports Information
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