Boyd-Buchanan's Anderson Signs Baseball Grant To Temple

Pitcher/Infielder Set Up For Strong Final Season With Bucs

  • Thursday, November 6, 2014
  • Larry Fleming
Boyd-Buchanan baseball standout Skyler Anderson, seated center, signed a baseball scholarship with Tennessee Temple on Thursday. At the signing were Temple coach Greg Bartley and Skyler's mother, Michelle, and father, Ken.
Boyd-Buchanan baseball standout Skyler Anderson, seated center, signed a baseball scholarship with Tennessee Temple on Thursday. At the signing were Temple coach Greg Bartley and Skyler's mother, Michelle, and father, Ken.
photo by Boyd-Buchanan

Skyler Anderson, who as a junior helped Boyd-Buchanan reach the 2014 Class A state baseball tournament, signed a scholarship with Tennessee Temple University on Thursday at the high school on Thursday.

Anderson chose the Crusaders over Lee University and Carson-Newman College.

“Temple coach (Greg) Barley is going to allow me to play every day and also pitch,” Anderson said. “Lee and Carson-Newman wanted me to pitch. I’m extremely happy to get to contribute every day and I think that’s how I can best help my team win.”

At Boyd-Buchanan, Anderson has played shortstop, third base and in the outfield, in addition to getting time on the mound.

He’s not sure where Bartley plans to use him once he arrives at Temple.

“I really like the infield best,” Anderson said.

“You’re more involved there than in the outfield.”

Anderson, who made his decision to join Temple on Monday, has visited the school’s campus twice, but points out the university will be on a new campus in the Woodland Park area starting in his freshman year.

“That’s exciting too,” he said.

First up, however, is Anderson’s senior year with the Bucs.

Boyd-Buchanan coach Josh Rider believes Anderson has a bright future at the college level, based on what he’s been able to do for the Bucs’ program thus far.

“I’m excited for him getting the opportunity to play college ball at a place like Temple,” Rider said. “I know he wants to play every day because he talked about that a lot with his parents and thought long and hard about it. He plays good defense and is a good hitter, too.

“With Skyler, playing every day took precedence over pitching one or two times a week. Plus, he’s going to get a good education at Temple at the same time.”

Anderson was instrumental in helping the Bucs capture region and sectional titles en route to their second state tournament appearance last spring.

The Bucs opened state play by beating Forrest, 11-1, and lost to Jackson Christian, 6-1, in the second round. The Bucs were eliminated by Goodpasture, 13-5, later the same day.

Anderson batted .363 and posted an 8-3 pitching record with a 1.45 ERA as a junior and will be a key player this spring in his final season with the Bucs.

On the mound last season, Anderson had 73 strikeouts in 78 innings and threw a no-hitter against Grace Baptist Academy in the opening round of the District 5-A tournament.

This fall Anderson played with the Team Exposure, batting .586 with 17 RBIs, recording 25 strikeouts in 19.1 innings and giving up just three earned runs.   

“I think we’re going to be really good this year,” Anderson said. “I believe can get back to state with a chance to win it. All of our pitchers are back and we only lost two key seniors from last year’s team. With this year’s seniors and a good group of juniors, we’re all ready to step up and fill our roles.”

Rider expects Anderson to fill several roles this spring.

“First and foremost, he’s going to be one of our best leaders on and off the field, which he’s been his whole high school career,” Rider said. “He’s one of our best pitchers and when he’s not pitching, he plays third base and he’s a good offensive weapon for us.

“Skyler could be a .400 hitter, but I’m not sure right now where he’ll be in the lineup. He can drive in a bunch of runs and run the bases. He’s a huge benefit for us no matter where he bats in the lineup.”

(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)

 

 

 

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