The Chesapeake College baseball team had some great times during the 2022 season. The Skipjacks started the year a sizzling 5-0-1.
The Skipjacks endured some tough times, too.
They ended the season with back-to-back losses in the Region XX tournament to end the season.
One accomplishment the Skipjacks can look back on with pride is the fact that six of their standout players made the All-Region team. Designated hitter Will Glick earned First-Team All-Region honors. The Skipjacks placed four players on the second team: Infielder Kyle Waters, pitcher Dylan Young, and outfielders Wilfredo Mendez Jr. and Mitch Jolikko.
Infielder Braden Killens rounded out the group with an honorable mention selection.
Chesapeake assistant baseball coach Lee Collison said the players’ willingness to learn made a difference in them making the All-Region teams.
The coaching staff focused on new hitting techniques.
“A big positive was that the kids were receptive to change,” Collison explained. “Hitting was one of them. We came out with some ideas on how they could be better. They made changes. We had some guys that really stepped up. We had better batting and home run averages.”
The Skipjacks got a lot out of Young, who worked out of the bullpen. He went a perfect 5-0 and saved three games. He struck out 27 batters in 29 innings and fashioned a 2.45 ERA.
“We used him in all kinds of situations,” Szymanski said. “He came in with runners on and in tie games and some games when we were down. He was very reliable and consistent.”
Killens also impressed Szymanski—especially in the postseason. He went 2-for-4 with a home run, RBI, double and two runs scored in a loss to Frederick Community College. He also had a hit and RBI in the season finale against Catonsville.
“He was a clutch player,” Szymanski said. “He was one of our leaders who was good all year and in the playoffs. Kyle Waters was also a clutch player that played hard every game.”
Killens finished the regular season second in batting average (.383), and tied for the team lead in home runs (7) and RBIs (37).
Glick also proved to be a power bat in the middle of Chesapeake’s lineup. He clubbed seven homers and drove in 37 runs while batting 319.
Mendez Jr. finished with the highest batting average at .424 and drove in 27 RBIs,
Waters also placed high in several categories, finishing third in batting average (.378), fourth in RBIs (29) and second in stolen bases (9).
“He was probably our number one player all year long,” Collison said. “When he got injured, we really missed his presence in the field.”
Jolikko also had a fine season. He batted .344 with five homers, 31 RBIs and a team-leading 15 stolen bases.
Chesapeake finished this season 25-15-1. The Skipjacks figure to have another solid team with a talented group of freshmen arriving and key leaders returning.
“We had a really good season last year,” Collison said. “But next year, I think we are going to be better. We have a really high-quality class coming in.”