It would be hard to find a more complete contributor than Morris’ Kevin Skrtich.
He’s a standout pitcher who hits with authority. And he’s only a junior.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound right-hander showcased both talents Saturday.
He led the Redskins to an 11-4 Class AA semifinal victory over Clemente, then was named the tournament’s most valuable player after Morris trounced Chatham Glenwood 12-4 in the game with Skrtch MVP after Morris trounced Chatham Glenwood 12-4 in the title game.
Skrtich’s record improved to 10-0 as he hurled a seven-inning complete game.
And at the plate, Skrtich went 2 for 4 for the second game in a row. He wound up 6 for 11 in the tournament with a double and a triple, with three RBIs and four runs scored.
Morris beat Chatham Glenwood 12-4 in Saturday night’s Class AA title game with Skrtich at first base.
The semifinal victory put Morris in the title game for the second time in the last three seasons.
“It was a great game,” said Redskins coach Denny Steele. “Kevin battled. He was tired at the end, but he hung in there and did a great job to get the game in. He also really struck the ball well with a double and a triple.”
Cool, humid conditions contributed to some weariness, Skrtich acknowledged. But he was determined to finish.
Even a late Clemente uprising didn’t deter Skrtich from going the distance.
The Wildcats scored two runs in the top of the seventh, aided by back-to-back doubles. But Skrtich settled down and coaxed Clemente’s Sal Alvarado to ground to second for the final out.
“I wanted to finish it myself,” Skrtich said while icing his right arm after the semifinal-game victory.
Skrtich is just one component of a strong staff that includes seniors Quinn Schafer (14-0) and Jake Lambros, whose championship-game victory raised his record to 9-4.
Being a junior hasn’t been a problem on a senior-dominated team. On the contrary, Skrtich feels right at home.
“I played last year with these guys, so I feel pretty comfortable,” he said.
“I have to just pitch and let hit it because I know our defense will make the play.”
Against Clemente, Skrtich gave up four runs on six hits, walked three and struck out two. But there was only one point where he felt some concern.
“Maybe where he had a few errors . . . I got a little there.”
With the victory in the championship game, Morris finished the season at 38-4, including a 21-game winning streak that opened the season.
This has been a highly successful year for Redskins athletics, which featured a Class 4A football finalist last fall.
While Skrtich didn’t play football, many of his teammates did. And success carried over to baseball.
“Yeah, it’s the same kind of situation, the same pressure,” Skrtich said. “I think helps a little bit.”
