Mountain Home High's Nickayla Skinner was named Idaho's 2008-09 Gatorade softball player of the year Thursday, becoming the first player from her school chosen for the honor.

The 5-foot-9 junior pitcher finished with a 25-2 record and a 0.42 ERA, recording 302 strikeouts in 168 innings this season to lead the Tigers (26-6) to the school's first 4A state championship. The two-time 4A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year also played shortstop and hit for an average of .515 with 51 RBIs, 14 runs, 14 doubles and 12 home runs. She had a 1.074 slugging percentage and .577 on-base percentage this spring.

Also a standout volleyball player, Skinner has maintained a 3.77 GPA in the classroom and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Nickayla Skinner can hurt you as a pitcher and a hitter," Bishop Kelly coach Derek McCormick said. "She's pretty dominant in the circle, and she batted over .500 in the Southern Idaho Conference. She's certainly the best player I saw this year.”

Joni Cook (2008, Eagle) and Britney Croner (2007 and 2006, Bishop Kelly) won the award the past three seasons.