Trojans claim share of Coast North championship

Courtesy Skyline Athletics
Courtesy Skyline Athletics

For the third time in four years Head Coach Tony Brunicardi has guided the Trojans to a Coast conference North Division title. This years team finished 15-5 in conference and 29-10 overall.

Fueled by one of the conference's most explosive offenses and a dominant, deep pitching staff, Skyline overwhelmed opponents on both sides of the ball, outscoring teams by a wide margin and establishing themselves as one of the premier programs in Northern California.

The Trojan offense proved relentless all season long, finishing with a team batting average of .318 and scoring 308 runs across 39 games. Their ability to combine speed, power, and plate discipline made them a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

Leading the charge was Ethan Reader, who batted .358 while scoring 45 runs and stealing 22 bases. His strong .439 on-base percentage and 81 total bases highlighted his critical role at the top of the lineup. Not far behind, Gabriel Melara was a consistent force, hitting .355 with 12 doubles, 6 triples, and 3 home runs, posting an impressive .465 OBP and leading the team with 87 total bases.

Santino Nanez contributed a steady .353 batting average, 11 doubles, and 17 stolen bases, while Makai Susor (.350) and Trey Johnson (.336) provided additional firepower, combining for 7 home runs and 60 RBIs. Nick Tobin (.309) and Ethan Casas-Wu (.327) rounded out a lineup that could score from top to bottom.

The Trojans finished with:

427 hits, including 79 doubles, 21 triples, and 23 home runs

A .433 team on-base percentage

99 stolen bases (led by Reader, Nanez, and Aidan Lackey)

Skyline consistently wore down opponents with smart baserunning, clutch hitting, and patience at the plate, averaging nearly 8 runs per game.

While the offense captured headlines, the Trojans' pitching staff was equally impressive, finishing with a team ERA of 4.26 — a full three runs better than their opponents' ERA of 7.12. A deep and balanced rotation, paired with a shutdown bullpen, kept Skyline in control throughout the season.

Devin Costa anchored the bullpen with a sparkling 1.30 ERA over 34.2 innings, recording 4 saves and allowing just 5 earned runs all year. His ability to close games in high-pressure situations was crucial to the team's success.

In the rotation, Steven Dalton was a workhorse, posting a 7-1 record and a 2.39 ERA over 67.2 innings. Dalton struck out 67 batters while walking just 18, establishing himself as one of the top starters in the conference.

Nikau Heeney also delivered an outstanding season, finishing 9-1 with a 3.41 ERA in a team-high 68.2 innings pitched. His 60 strikeouts and steady presence on the mound gave Skyline two legitimate aces to lead the staff.

Other key contributors included:

Tyler Pechetti: 4 wins, 3 saves, and 53 strikeouts in 57 innings.

Jacob DuFrene and Franco Moran, providing valuable innings out of the bullpen.

Skyline's pitchers held opponents to a .255 batting average and struck out 308 batters while only issuing 155 walks, maintaining command and limiting big innings throughout the campaign.

Skyline College combined elite hitting, shutdown pitching, and solid defense (.970 team fielding percentage) to dominate all season. Outscoring opponents 343-204, outhitting them 427-329, and outpitching them by nearly three runs per game, the Trojans proved to be a complete and dangerous team.