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HomeTeam Hot Shot winners: Chayse Skinner and Jonathan Gates

 
Nature Coast softball player Chayse Skinner (Courtesy of Chayse Skinner)
Nature Coast softball player Chayse Skinner (Courtesy of Chayse Skinner)
Published April 25, 2016

Chayse Skinner, Nature Coast

Chayse Skinner, a first-year starter, said she had no jitters playing in the first postseason game of her young career last week.

"I really don't get nervous playing softball," the sophomore said.

Against Orlando Lake Highland Prep, Skinner calmly delivered at the plate, going 2-for-3 with both hits coming on triples in a 3-2, eight-inning victory in the Class 5A region quarterfinals. She also scored two runs, including the tying one in the fifth.

The win was Nature Coast's first ever in the playoffs.

"We were confident we could get it done," Skinner said.

Such assuredness on the field stems from nearly a decade of playing the sport.

Skinner also tried volleyball, track and basketball in middle school but stuck to softball once she got to high school.

She also added power this season with 14 of her 21 hits going for extra bases, including three home runs, her first at any level.

"I started lifting weights and drinking protein shakes," Skinner said. "It's helped me get stronger."

It has not landed her a college offer — yet. But Skinner said she has been getting interest from schools.

For now, she is concentrating on getting the Sharks (24-4) to the state final four.

"We had a goal of winning districts and a playoff game," Skinner said. "We've already got that.

"Now, we want get to states."

Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Jonathan Gates, Nature Coast

Jonathan Gates may only be a sophomore, but he already is a major contributor for the Sharks. As a pitcher, Gates has made 10 starts and is 6-0 with 0.62 ERA. In his last start, a 2-0 win over Central in the Class 5A, District 7 semifinal, Gates pitched a no-hitter, the first in his high school career.

He is just as good at the plate. Gates is hitting .500 with 43 runs batted in, which ranks second in the state. He also has 14 doubles and four home runs.

He has already committed to the University of Miami, which makes sense. He lived in Key West until he was 6 years old, then his dad moved to Brooksville to take a job with Tampa General Hospital.

"I still have a lot of family in Key West and we go there once or twice a year," Gates said. "I wanted to go to Miami so I could be close to family."

Of course, he still has two more years at Nature Coast before he heads south. The Sharks won the district championship last week and will play Lake Highland Prep on Wednesday in the region quarterfinals. With only one game this week, Gates will get the start. Given an option, he said he would rather pitch than play first base or outfield.

"I want the ball," he said.

The Sharks (20-4) hope to keep their season going as long as possible. In the fall, the football team went deep in the playoffs. Now the baseball team is creating a buzz, which Gates said is unusual.

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"Nature Coast is a football school," he said. "They don't really pay attention to baseball much. But now everyone is starting to notice us. There's a buzz about baseball around here."

Rodney Page, Times staff writer