Stevenson High Names New Baseball Coach

LINCOLNSHIRE — Stevenson High School has named Nick Skala as its new head baseball coach. Skala replaces Patrick Block, who stepped down in June after three seasons at the helm. Skala has been a member on the varsity coaching staff the past four seasons, serving as lead pitching coach

Prior to joining the SHS staff, Skala coached for one year at his college alma mater, Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, according to a news release. Skala was one of the top players in Concordia history. He was named Northern Atlantic Conference Player of the Year in 2011 after leading the Cougars to a 20-2 league record and the regular season championship, according to the news release.

During the 2011 season, Skala set the school’s single-season record for runs batted in (63) and led the Cougars to a 35-10 overall record. In the same year, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 37th round of the Major League Baseball draft.

His .416 batting average in 2010 is the seventh-highest in school annals, and his three-year career average of .373 ranks fifth all-time. During his three years, Concordia posted a record of 99-33, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament his senior season.

PHOTO VIA STEVENSON