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COLUMBIA WEATHER

Young gun: As 8th-grader, Skelton helps key Columbia Academy success





Columbia Academy’s Gunner Skelton is the first eighth-grader to start the season as a member of the Bulldog varsity roster under coach Richie Estep. Skelton has been in the CA starting lineup at shortstop all spring and has been one of the team’s more effective pitchers as well.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Columbia Academy’s Gunner Skelton is the first eighth-grader to start the season as a member of the Bulldog varsity roster under coach Richie Estep. Skelton has been in the CA starting lineup at shortstop all spring and has been one of the team’s more effective pitchers as well.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

As ‘baseball IQ’ is an intangible many high school coaches say is more valuable now than ever, Columbia Academy’s youngest player may be one of its smartest.

“He’s very fun to coach because you don’t have to explain a lot of things to him,” veteran Bulldogs coach Richie Estep said of Gunner Skelton, his eighth-grade shortstop.

“He’s gonna do what you ask him – he knows what to do. He knows how to play the game. He’s very mature for an eighth-grader.”

Mirroring Columbia Academy’s ascension into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association’s statewide poll for Division II-A, Skelton has risen through the Bulldogs’ batting order while proving he can hold his own despite his age and lack of varsity experience.

“He’d been in the ‘7’ hole, but we’ve been slowly moving him up,” Estep said. “We didn’t want to give too much to him too early. He’s been hitting sixth or seventh mainly.

“We pretty much knew at the start of the year he was going to be with us (instead of the middle school team), but – could he handle the pitching, could he make the plays?”

As an eighth-grader, Gunner Skelton has become one of Columbia Academy’s top options on the mound behind seniors Bryant Beranek and Mason Raffauf, as well as the Bulldogs’ starting shortstop.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

As an eighth-grader, Gunner Skelton has become one of Columbia Academy’s top options on the mound behind seniors Bryant Beranek and Mason Raffauf, as well as the Bulldogs’ starting shortstop.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Skelton is a different kind of young talent than former CA standout Kavares Tears, currently a freshman at Tennessee, but could be bound for the same type of impactful career.

“‘KT’ started a few games for us, but he wasn’t consistently in (as an eighth-grader),” Estep said. “(Skelton) is going to be special. He’s going to be something to watch. He’s not flashy. He’s not like ‘KT’, where your eyes perk up when you see him. Gunner’s just going to do it. He’s just going to make the plays. And you never know if he’s 0-for-5 or 5-for-5; he’s the same, his demeanor.

“He’s just mature beyond his years.”

A Columbia Academy ‘lifer’ – “He’s been there since preschool, when he was 3,” dad Jeff said – Skelton has settled in after a nervewracking start to his varsity career.

“The first few practices, I was still getting used to being around the guys,” the 5-9, 165-pounder said. “The players have definitely made me feel welcome, and getting to play has helped me get more comfortable.

Columbia Academy shortstop Gunner Skelton puts the tag on a would-be Battle Ground Academy basestealer during an April 8 contest.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

Columbia Academy shortstop Gunner Skelton puts the tag on a would-be Battle Ground Academy basestealer during an April 8 contest.ROB FLEMING / MAIN STREET MAURY

“I kinda changed my mindset, from middle school to high school. In middle school, I was usually maybe the most athletic player out there; you can beat everybody that way. Now there’s people four or five years older than I am and way more athletic. I had to adjust and play baseball that way. It’s just (about) adjusting.”

Jeff said Gunner’s maturity level comes as a result of playing against older competition and under the tutelage of advanced instructors.

“It’s been a lot of people, too many to thank,” he said. “We’ve always played him ‘up’. That helped develop him. He got in with some really good trainers and played on some really good teams. He’s had an opportunity to train and play with some good people. He’s worked hard all his life to try to get better.” Columbia Academy eighth-grade shortstop Gunner Skelton beats out an infield grounder during a recent game against host Grace Christian.BY MAURICE PATTONMain Street Maury

The fact that Skelton hasn’t been overwhelmed – in the field, at the plate or on the mound, where he has emerged as a versatile option behind seniors Bryant Beranek and Mason Raffauf – hasn’t been lost on his teammates.

“I think he just has fun with it every day,” Beranek said. “I never see him in a bad mood or with a frown on his face. He comes out here and tries to have the most fun he can have.

“We’re all been supporting him and been supportive of him. We’re just happy to do whatever we need to do for him to be able to help the team. He has a lot of potential. He’s really good right now, and he’s just 14. He can’t even drive yet.”

It’s fascinating to think of how Skelton can develop between now and the time he can drive, and he knows it.

“I’ve gotten used to it now, and I think that’s going to help for the future,” he said. “I take it as a privilege and a blessing now, and I feel like it’s just going to pay off in the future when my group of guys comes up as juniors and seniors.”

 

 

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