Skidmore opting for Fairmont State

Skidmore opting for Fairmont State
Butler senior first baseman signs early

BUTLER TWP — Amanda Skidmore has found the best of both worlds.
The Butler High senior first baseman is continuing her academic and softball career at Fairmont State College, a West Virginia school featuring growing programs in both areas.
The Falcons are coming off a 33-20 season under third-year coach Rick Wade, the year culminating with the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Fairmont State put in a new advertising/graphic design school two years ago. That's the field Skidmore wants to get into.
“This is the perfect match for me,” she said.
Skidmore is joining a softball program that's reeled off three consecutive 30-win seasons — finishing second in the WVIAC in 2009 — after posting just one 30-win campaign in its history before Wade took over as head coach.
The Falcons have 14 freshmen or sophomores on their roster. The team has only two seniors.
“It's an honor for me to be welcomed onto a team like that,” Skidmore said. “I went down and practiced with the team two months ago and stayed overnight.
“The girls were great. It's a fun group and they made me feel like I was really wanted there.”
Also a volleyball player at Butler, Skidmore hit .512 with five home runs for the Golden Tornado last spring. She hit in the No. 4 position of the batting order most of the season.
The Tornado missed the WPIAL playoffs, however, and Skidmore wants to get back there.
“We made the playoffs two years ago for the first time in 14 years and it was so much fun,” she said. “This is my senior year and I want to experience that feeling again.”
Skidmore will be playing her eighth season with the Pittsburgh Power summer softball program before heading to Fairmont State. A pitcher with the Tornado as well, she was recruited as a first baseman.
Falcon pitcher ChelseaCobb was WVIAC Freshman of the Year last season, sporting a 24-13 record, 2.59 earned run average and 218 strikeouts in 229 innings pitched.
Skidmore will be playing behind All-WVIAC first baseman Brittany Tallhamer, who hit .327 with eight homers as a sophomore last year.
“She's really cool,” Skidmore said. “I spent a lot of time with her when I was down there. I can learn a lot from her, I'm sure.”
Skidmore's goals this spring are to maintain an above .500 batting average and continue to improve.
“I want to close out strong,” she said. “I still have to study hard and work hard, but knowing where I'll be going to school is a burden off my shoulders.
“Now I can relax and have fun playing ball.”
She also considered Bethany College before deciding on Fairmont State.