Baseball: Knicks players still riding high after record-setting season with COM

David Skaggs is finding his place on the pitcher’s mound once again. Coming of an all-star appearance, Skaggs is leading a solid pitching rotation as the Novato Knicks begin to focus on a playoff run in the independent Norm Thompson Pacific Baseball League.

Skaggs’ own focus is on preparing for a title run, not only with the Knicks, but also in the 2025 season with College of Marin.

The right hander from San Marin High redshirted during his freshman season with COM in the spring, soaking up the experience as the Mariners went on an impressive run to the Super Regionals during a 28-17 campaign.

“It was a super-big season for COM,” Skaggs said. “We had a lot of talent. It was a great season … one of the best seasons COM has ever produced. … I did redshirt but it was fun to see everyone being so successful and having so much fun.”

The power-hitting Mariners set the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state record for home runs with 80 in 45 games as three players hit more than 15. Sophomore Matteo Bellisimo (Tam High) led the Mariners with 17 homers, followed by sophomore Lucas Schaefer (15), who is currently adding his bat to the Novato Knicks lineup. COM freshman Derek Bartram (Novato High) had 14 homers last season.

The players and staff from that Mariners squad aren’t being lazy during the days of summer.

Mariners head coach Steve Berringer is helping to develop a new class of talent with the NorCal Black squads, while COM pitching coach Alex Valasek is getting his reps on the mound in the pitching rotation for the San Rafael Pacifics of the Pecos League.

Meanwhile, Skaggs and Schaefer, with some of their COM teammates, are honing their skills with the Knicks, an assemblage of Bay Area talent competing in the collegiate wood bat league. The Knicks are led by head coach Brett Kim and general manager Ryan Cooney, who is also the COM Department of Athletics equipment manager.

“The momentum carries over from one team to the next,” Skaggs said. “Both seasons are about competition. I want to win games with COM and the Knicks. At COM, I want to win the conference especially next season. I want to try to be the best pitcher I can for both teams.”

Joining Skaggs and Schaefer in Knicks uniforms are COM teammates Chris de Langis (Terra Linda High), Benny Nazario and Skylar Lenihan, who are all focused on improving their games and trying to boost their profiles with college scouts.

“I definitely still think about the COM season and how great of a team it was,” de Langis said. “Everyone got along better than I’ve seen previous teams get along. It is not surprising that we had a historic season because our lineup was one of the best in the state. I would’ve taken our offense over any other offense that we saw. Our coaches helped us harness our skills to be the best that we could be.”

Skaggs is still relatively new to college-level baseball and is soaking up the unique Knicks experience.

“I was really excited to have a team asking if I wanted to play for them, even if it’s just a summer team,” Skaggs said of joining the Knicks. “It’s also a challenge, because I’m going into a dugout where I don’t know everyone and I’m still learning the game itself. I’m still learning the game every day. This has been a huge jump in my career. From high school, this is a faster-paced game. You have to experience it to understand it. The work ethic is different, too. … It’s great knowing the other players are behind my back to help me and to help me keep my head up in hard situations.”

The Knicks (10-15 overall, 7-5 NTPBL) host NBO Baseball of Antelope for a crucial doubleheader in Petaluma on Sunday as they head into the final week of the regular season with six league games left. The Knicks trail the defending league champions by two games in the NTPBL standings with six league games remaining. The Knicks are scheduled to host the NorCal Warriors for a doubleheader at San Marin High on July 27, then wrap up the regular season on July 28 with a twin bill against EJ Baseball.

“This has been a really fun experience, traveling and playing the game you love,” Skaggs said. “I know a couple of guys from high school who are playing on different teams in the league. Josh Martin (San Marin) is playing on Santa Rosa. Cole Chamberlain (San Marin) is playing on the Lincoln Potters.”