Trib HSSN baseball player of the week for May 11, 2025

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 8:15 PM

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Trib HSSN baseball player of the week: Tyler Skaggs

School: Serra Catholic

Class: Senior

Position: Pitcher, second baseman

#Earned: The more the merrier for Tyler Skaggs and his Serra Catholic teammates this past week as they played four games in four days to close out the regular season by outscoring their opponents 50-4 in four victories. The Eagles closed out their Section 3-A schedule with back-to-back games against playoff-bound Sewickley Academy. On Monday, Skaggs went 3 for 3 with two doubles, three runs scored and six RBIs. He followed that Tuesday against the Panthers by going 2 for 4 with a home run, three runs scored and four RBIs. Those two wins lifted Serra Catholic into a three-way tie for the section championship with Eden Christian Academy and two-time district champion Bishop Canevin. On Wednesday against Belle Vernon, a Class 4A playoff team, Skaggs was 0 for 2 but scored a run and drove in one, plus he was the winning pitcher,y allowing only one hit with five strikeouts. The regular season ended Thursday with a win over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart with the senior going 2 for 3 with two runs scored and another RBI. For the week, Skaggs was 7 for 12 with nine runs scored, 14 RBIs, two doubles and a home run as the Eagles finished the season 17-3.

Background: Skaggs hopes to continue his baseball career at the next level. He is looking at possible junior colleges and considering studying to be a physician’s assistant. For the season, Skaggs is 25 for 56 for a .446 batting average. He has 10 doubles, two triples, a home run with 29 runs scored and 32 RBIs with a .593 on-base percentage, .750 slugging percentage and 1.343 OPS. On the mound, he has thrown 33 2/3 innings and has allowed five earned runs, 26 hits with 12 walks and 34 strikeouts. He is 6-1 for the Eagles with an ERA of 1.04. He is not a hard thrower but rather relies on his curveball. He also played basketball and soccer when he was younger, quitting the pitch when he was 13 years old, but he is still active on the hardwood, having played for the Eagles’ WPIAL runner-up team this past winter. Skaggs is the oldest of three children. His sister Cameryn is a sophomore at Serra and plays volleyball and soccer in the fall. His brother Jackson is also active, but he’s only 3 years old.

What coach says: “Tyler had simplified his swing this year with an emphasis on staying on plane and keep his front side closed,” Serra Catholic coach Brian Dzurenda said. “He has improved on his ability to turn on speed and exemplified that in the Sewickley series.

“Tyler is trying to not make it any more difficult than what it is. His whole season has been a lesson in taking the soft stuff to right field and keeping the hands inside and pulling the inside heat.”

“Tyler threw a one-hitter against Belle Vernon, and his splitter was really biting. When he is able to spot his fastball, throw the slider for strikes and then comeback with the third pitch against aggressive hitters, it seems to work out for us.”

“Tyler is a student of the game and is stoic on the mound, which makes him special. When things aren’t going his way, you would never know it. His work ethic and attitude make him a special player.”

“Tyler leads by example on the field. He stays calm in pressure situations, which is influential on the younger players.”

2025 Trib HSSN Baseball Players of the Week

Week 5: Ryan Piekutoski , Seneca Valley

Week 4: Brock Budacki, New Brighton

Week 3: Ryan Lafferty, Plum

Week 2: Mason Metz, Avonworth

Week 1: Eli Graff, Thomas Jefferson

Tags: Serra Catholic