Q and A with Kent State University Commit Jared Skolnicki
         Skolnicki is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound LHP/OF from Keystone Oaks HS, Class of 2013

                                                     

PBR:  Where have you decided to attend college and why did you make this choice?
Skolnicki: I have decided to attend Kent State University. Academically, I will be able to transfer the majority of college credit I earned in high school which will give me a lot of options with my class schedule. But the main reason I chose Kent is because of its baseball program. I felt comfortable with the entire coaching staff and liked the way they recruit and develop their players. Coach Birkbeck is historically known to develop pitchers and is considered by many to be one of the top pitching coaches in the country. I also like the program’s winning tradition and aspire to help them continue such success in the near future.

PBR:  What other schools were you considering?
Skolnicki: A few of the other schools I was considering were Cincinnati, Butler, and the University of Pennsylvania.

PBR:  Was distance from home a factor in your decision?
Skolnicki: Distance was certainly a factor, but it was not a main concern. Fortunately, Kent State is relatively close to home which is convenient for both me and my family.

PBR:  Where did the coaches first see you?  How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?
Skolnicki: The coaches first saw me in the summer of 2011. After injuring my knee the following winter, I did not think they would continue to show interest but they did not give up on me and constantly followed my progress throughout the summer until finally offering me in the fall. My relationship with the coaching staff greatly strengthened throughout the process which is one of the reasons why I chose Kent State.

PBR:  What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Skolnicki: The coaches expect me to continue to develop and make a strong impact on the team in my first year just like all their recruits. I am being recruited as a pitcher, but they are also giving me a chance to play the outfield as well. I am going to work hard to help the team wherever they need me and hope to do it in as many ways as possible.

PBR:  What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help your team?
Skolnicki: My biggest strength as a player is probably my competitiveness, my ability to not let things bother me, and my desire to always improve. This is important because baseball is a game of failure, not everything is going to go your way.  The easier you can shake it off, the better off you and your team will be.  

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most memorable experience from this past summer?
Skolnicki: I play for Mark Saghy’s Steel City Wildcats. My most memorable experience was my first start back after missing my entire high school season due to a knee injury. I’ll never forget how excited I was to play again. I just love playing.

PBR:  What is your current GPA?
Skolnicki: My cumulative GPA is 4.14. I am currently taking AP classes and working to get a 4.5 GPA my senior year.

PBR:  Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?
Skolnicki: My goals really have not changed that much. I still want to continue to get stronger, work on my hitting from both sides of the plate, and improve both my velocity and the consistency of my curveball. Ultimately I want to help lead Keystone Oaks to its first playoff game in 9 years and believe we will have a good chance to make a run in the playoffs and compete for a section championship.

Send all Pennsylvania recruiting information to PA Director of Scouting - Greg Williams