Former St. Cloud River Bat right-hander Jason Van Skike tossed a complete game, nine-inning no-hitter Saturday for the Indiana State Sycamores. Van Skike improved to 2-0 and the Sycamores defeated Central Arkansas 8-0. He was recently named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for his performance. Van Skike played for the River Bats last summer.
“Toward the end especially, I was getting tired. I was just trying to throw it over the plate late in the game,” Van Skike told the Tribune-Star Terra Haute, Ind. “I had a good defense behind me all day.”
Van Skike threw 143 pitches, walked eight and struck out five in a winning effort. Former Northwoods Leaguers Robby Ort (Mankato) and Levi Ferguson (Brainerd) were included in the defensive alignment behind Van Skike.
Last summer for the River Bats, the senior right-hander made 10 starts and went 6-2 with a
3.86 earned run average. Van Skike walked 32 and struck out the same number. The 6’4’’
200-pounder is a native of Gig Harbor, Wash.
Van Skike is in his second season with Indiana State after transferring from Treasure Valley Community College in Washington.