Skinner creating 'dynamite' culture at Cuthbertson

Samuel Skinner is also credited with bringing in a creative passion for the the program in 2023. No matter who the coach is, this program keeps on winning.

Skinner, who is in his third season as head baseball coach with the Cuthbertson Cavaliers, led them to their second straight Southern Carolina Conference regular season title. He has quickly accumulated 62 wins against 16 losses in his three seasons because of the buy-in from his players.

“It’s all about trusting the brother beside you and playing selfless baseball,” Skinner said. “One at-bat at a time, one pitch at a time, and just stay in the moment, stay engaged in the moment and enjoy the moment.”

Skinner comes from a rich baseball background being around a very talented coaching staff. He was a standout player at South Mecklenburg High School from 1998 until 2001, the year he graduated from the school.

It was at South Meck where he had the fortune of playing for former coach Hal Bagwell, who now coaches baseball at Indian Land High School.

“It was an All-Star coaching staff and they were relentless with us in how they approached the game, how you’re supposed to approach the game, and the attention to detail,” Skinner said. “I took all that from them.”

Coaching was not on Skinner’s radar until a decade later. He was an assistant coach at Olympic High School and Independence High School before taking over as head coach for the Patriots.

Skinner led the Independence Patriots to a 38-31 record in four seasons before coming to Cuthbertson.

“I have three assistant coaches that are absolutely dynamite,” Skinner said. “Coach James, Coach Rorie, Coach Mangum, they are just incredible coaches. They have bought in as well, and I can trust them to do everything. I trust them 100%% completely and I ask for their input. I value their input.”

As Skinner learned about his new team, he became impressed with their will to fight and apply baseball principles to their everyday life.

Senior pitcher Michael Clemente met Skinner during his sophomore year. The pitcher immediately noticed the passion he wanted to bring to the Cavaliers.

“Skinner does a good job bringing the team together and building us as one,” Clemente said. “I definitely knew that he was out here to build us as men through the game of baseball. As it’s shown, he’s done a really good job of that.”

Skinner and the Cavaliers

are preparing for conference tournament play before awaiting their playoff seed this year.

Finding a team that emphasizes dedication to their craft is hard to find these days, Skinner said. But he continues to be impressed with their work ethic.

Skinner said he is filled with gratitude to be on this journey with the Cavaliers.

“We’ve got a dynamite group of young men that love the game and work their tails off in the game,” Skinner said. “They are dedicated to each other. They love each other, they are dedicated to this game, and they work hard on their own. You don’t have to ask them to come work on their own, so that gives me fire to make sure that I’m doing my best to give them every opportunity they can to succeed.”