Three Falcons Earn All-MW Conference Honors, Skenes Named MW Freshman of the Year
6/3/2021 12:53:00 PM | Baseball
Skenes is the first AF MW Freshman of the Year since Nic Ready in 2016
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- The Air Force Academy baseball team had three players earn All-Mountain West Conference honors, while freshman Paul Skenes was named the MW Freshman of the Year, the league announced Thursday, June 3. Skenes, as well as senior pitcher John Byrnes, were named to the All-Conference First Team, while catcher Braydon Altorfer was picked to the Second Team, following a vote of the league's seven head coaches.
All three players were honored for the first time in their respective careers. Skenes earns these distinctions after just recently being named a First Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball News. Skenes is also just the second Falcon to earn MW Freshman of the Year honors after Nic Ready was named the Co-Freshman of the Year in 2016.
Skenes put together one of the greatest freshman seasons in program history, while ranking near the top of numerous categories nationally most of the season as a two-way threat. He started all 48 games, 28 at DH, 18 at catcher, and twice at first base. He also made 18 relief appearances on the mound, all coming in games in which he started in the batting lineup.
Overall on the season on offense, Skenes slashed .410/.486/.697 with 77 hits, 21 doubles, 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and 49 runs scored. He led the team with 21 multi-hit games, including two five-hit games, while also notching 12 multi-RBI games. He finished the season on a 35-game reached base streak, while also recording a hit in all but eight games on the season. The .410 batting average is tied for the highest in a single-season for AF since 2003.
On the mound, Skenes tossed 26.2 innings, and accumulated a 2.70 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over that span with 30 strikeouts to just nine walks. He went a perfect 11-for-11 in save attempts, while holding his opponents to a .208 batting average. In his 18 appearances, Skenes allowed an earned run in just seven of them, and more than one only once, while recording at least one strikeout in all but two.
Nationally, Skenes finished the regular season ranked ninth in saves, 10th in doubles, 12th in doubles per game (0.44), 14th in batting average, 17th in hits per game (1.60), 27th in slugging, 28th in total hits, 38th in total bases (131), 44th in OBP, 87th in runs scored per game (1.02), 113th in total runs scored, and 143rd in home runs. He was the only player in NCAA Division I baseball to have double-digit home runs and saves.
Skenes also found his way near or at the top in numerous single-season Air Force records. His 11 saves is tied for the most all-time in a single season, while his ranks in the top-five for a freshman in a single-season in hits (T-1st), doubles (T-1st), HRs (2nd), total bases (2nd), batting average (3rd), slugging (3rd), runs (T-3rd), and RBIs (4th).
Byrnes was the model of consistency on the mound for AF in his final season, as he did not allow more than two earned runs in nine of his 14 appearances, all starts. He finished the year with a 3.86 ERA in his 14 starts, totaling 67.2 innings. He posted a 5-4 record with 59 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .247 batting average. He also had a devastating pick-off move, as he nabbed seven runners at first to lead the league.
The Milton, Ga. native finished second in the MW in ERA, third in opponent BA, fourth in strikeouts, tied for fourth in wins, fifth in innings pitched, and tie for first in HRs allowed. He saved his best stuff for his final season, as he set season career-bests in every major pitching category.
Altorfer had a breakout junior campaign for AF as the primary catcher, making 28 of his 47 starts behind the plate. The Vacaville, Calif. native finished the season with a .333/.437/.627 slash line with 59 hits, 23 doubles, a triple, and nine home runs, as well as 43 RBIs and 39 runs scored. He also led the team with 26 walks and nine HBP, while leading the MW in runners caught stealing with 14. He was one of the most clutch offensive weapons on the team, as he had a pair of five-hit games, a six-RBI game, as well as hit for the cycle against New Mexico, May 9.
In the MW, Altorfer was top-20 in 10 offensive categories, including top-10 in five, while also leading the league in doubles. Nationally, he ranked fourth in total doubles, 86th in slugging, and 137th in total bases (111). The 23 doubles were also tied for the fourth-most in a single season in AF history.
The trio had a huge hand in guiding Air Force to one of its best seasons in program history. The 26-22 overall record in the best for the program since 1993, while the 18-16 Mountain West record in the best conference record in program history. AF knocked off two top-15 teams for the first time since 2010 (#7 LSU & #13 Arizona), and was ranked in the top-50 of the NCAA RPI for a majority of the season. Finally, AF went 10-7 against teams who made the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
2021 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST BASEBALL FIRST TEAM
Paul Skenes, Fr., C/DH/RHP, Air Force
Andrew Kachel, So., 3B, Fresno State
Tyler Bosetti, Jr., 3B, Nevada
Dario Gomez, So., OF, Nevada
Dillan Shrum, Sr., 1B, Nevada
Kyler Castillo, Jr., OF, New Mexico
Wyatt Hendrie, So., C, San Diego State
Matt Rudick, Jr., OF, San Diego State
Brendan Brooks, Jr., SS, UNLV
Jack-Thomas Wold, Jr., 1B/DH, UNLV
John Byrnes, Sr., RHP, Air Force
Cam Walty, Fr., RHP, Nevada
Shane Gustafson, Sr., RHP, Nevada
Justin Armbruester, Sr., RHP, New Mexico
2021 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST BASEBALL SECOND TEAM
Braydon Altorfer, Jr., C/DH, Air Force
EJ Andrews, So., OF, Fresno State
Joshua Zamora, Jr., 2B, Nevada
Jaden Fein, So., OF, San Diego State
Mike Jarvis, Sr., SS, San Diego State
Ruben Ibarra, Jr., 1B, San José State
Myles Denson, Sr., OF, UNLV
Edarian Williams, So., 2B, UNLV
Jake Jackson, Jr., RHP, Nevada
Tre Brown, Jr., RHP, San Diego State
Mike Paredes, So., RHP, San Diego State
Bradley Spooner, Sr., RHP, UNLV
Tony Gwynn Player of the Year: Dillan Shrum, Sr., 1B, Nevada
Pitcher of the Year: Justin Armbruester, Sr., RHP, New Mexico
Freshman of the Year: Paul Skenes, C/RHP, Air Force
Coach of the Year: T.J. Bruce, Nevada
All three players were honored for the first time in their respective careers. Skenes earns these distinctions after just recently being named a First Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball News. Skenes is also just the second Falcon to earn MW Freshman of the Year honors after Nic Ready was named the Co-Freshman of the Year in 2016.
Skenes put together one of the greatest freshman seasons in program history, while ranking near the top of numerous categories nationally most of the season as a two-way threat. He started all 48 games, 28 at DH, 18 at catcher, and twice at first base. He also made 18 relief appearances on the mound, all coming in games in which he started in the batting lineup.
Overall on the season on offense, Skenes slashed .410/.486/.697 with 77 hits, 21 doubles, 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and 49 runs scored. He led the team with 21 multi-hit games, including two five-hit games, while also notching 12 multi-RBI games. He finished the season on a 35-game reached base streak, while also recording a hit in all but eight games on the season. The .410 batting average is tied for the highest in a single-season for AF since 2003.
On the mound, Skenes tossed 26.2 innings, and accumulated a 2.70 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over that span with 30 strikeouts to just nine walks. He went a perfect 11-for-11 in save attempts, while holding his opponents to a .208 batting average. In his 18 appearances, Skenes allowed an earned run in just seven of them, and more than one only once, while recording at least one strikeout in all but two.
Nationally, Skenes finished the regular season ranked ninth in saves, 10th in doubles, 12th in doubles per game (0.44), 14th in batting average, 17th in hits per game (1.60), 27th in slugging, 28th in total hits, 38th in total bases (131), 44th in OBP, 87th in runs scored per game (1.02), 113th in total runs scored, and 143rd in home runs. He was the only player in NCAA Division I baseball to have double-digit home runs and saves.
Skenes also found his way near or at the top in numerous single-season Air Force records. His 11 saves is tied for the most all-time in a single season, while his ranks in the top-five for a freshman in a single-season in hits (T-1st), doubles (T-1st), HRs (2nd), total bases (2nd), batting average (3rd), slugging (3rd), runs (T-3rd), and RBIs (4th).
Byrnes was the model of consistency on the mound for AF in his final season, as he did not allow more than two earned runs in nine of his 14 appearances, all starts. He finished the year with a 3.86 ERA in his 14 starts, totaling 67.2 innings. He posted a 5-4 record with 59 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .247 batting average. He also had a devastating pick-off move, as he nabbed seven runners at first to lead the league.
The Milton, Ga. native finished second in the MW in ERA, third in opponent BA, fourth in strikeouts, tied for fourth in wins, fifth in innings pitched, and tie for first in HRs allowed. He saved his best stuff for his final season, as he set season career-bests in every major pitching category.
Altorfer had a breakout junior campaign for AF as the primary catcher, making 28 of his 47 starts behind the plate. The Vacaville, Calif. native finished the season with a .333/.437/.627 slash line with 59 hits, 23 doubles, a triple, and nine home runs, as well as 43 RBIs and 39 runs scored. He also led the team with 26 walks and nine HBP, while leading the MW in runners caught stealing with 14. He was one of the most clutch offensive weapons on the team, as he had a pair of five-hit games, a six-RBI game, as well as hit for the cycle against New Mexico, May 9.
In the MW, Altorfer was top-20 in 10 offensive categories, including top-10 in five, while also leading the league in doubles. Nationally, he ranked fourth in total doubles, 86th in slugging, and 137th in total bases (111). The 23 doubles were also tied for the fourth-most in a single season in AF history.
The trio had a huge hand in guiding Air Force to one of its best seasons in program history. The 26-22 overall record in the best for the program since 1993, while the 18-16 Mountain West record in the best conference record in program history. AF knocked off two top-15 teams for the first time since 2010 (#7 LSU & #13 Arizona), and was ranked in the top-50 of the NCAA RPI for a majority of the season. Finally, AF went 10-7 against teams who made the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
2021 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST BASEBALL FIRST TEAM
Paul Skenes, Fr., C/DH/RHP, Air Force
Andrew Kachel, So., 3B, Fresno State
Tyler Bosetti, Jr., 3B, Nevada
Dario Gomez, So., OF, Nevada
Dillan Shrum, Sr., 1B, Nevada
Kyler Castillo, Jr., OF, New Mexico
Wyatt Hendrie, So., C, San Diego State
Matt Rudick, Jr., OF, San Diego State
Brendan Brooks, Jr., SS, UNLV
Jack-Thomas Wold, Jr., 1B/DH, UNLV
John Byrnes, Sr., RHP, Air Force
Cam Walty, Fr., RHP, Nevada
Shane Gustafson, Sr., RHP, Nevada
Justin Armbruester, Sr., RHP, New Mexico
2021 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST BASEBALL SECOND TEAM
Braydon Altorfer, Jr., C/DH, Air Force
EJ Andrews, So., OF, Fresno State
Joshua Zamora, Jr., 2B, Nevada
Jaden Fein, So., OF, San Diego State
Mike Jarvis, Sr., SS, San Diego State
Ruben Ibarra, Jr., 1B, San José State
Myles Denson, Sr., OF, UNLV
Edarian Williams, So., 2B, UNLV
Jake Jackson, Jr., RHP, Nevada
Tre Brown, Jr., RHP, San Diego State
Mike Paredes, So., RHP, San Diego State
Bradley Spooner, Sr., RHP, UNLV
Tony Gwynn Player of the Year: Dillan Shrum, Sr., 1B, Nevada
Pitcher of the Year: Justin Armbruester, Sr., RHP, New Mexico
Freshman of the Year: Paul Skenes, C/RHP, Air Force
Coach of the Year: T.J. Bruce, Nevada
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