Fitzpatrick: Skansi looks to continue hot hitting for Dawgs with playoffs approaching
Zane Skansi (Campbellsville University) has been an All-Star slugger for the Okotoks Dawgs this summer. Photo: Okotoks Dawgs
July 24, 2025
By Trevor Fitzpatrick
Canadian Baseball Network
Outfielder Zane Skansi is no stranger to playing north of the border.
For three of his four summer ball seasons through his college career, the Gig Harbor, Wash., native has come up north to stay sharp in the college offseason.
In 2022 and 2023, his trips were to join the Thunder Bay Border Cats. This year, he stayed on the western side of North America and provided massive results for the Okotoks Dawgs.
A .366 batting average and team-leading (between players with 10 or more games played) 1.096 OPS led to him earning a WCBL All-Star Game selection in his first year in the league.
The outfielder explained that keeping his approach simple has been the key to his success so far.
“I’ve been pretty set on the heater and trying to react off of that,” he said. “I’m just trying to put hitting in the simplest form possible.”
Skansi, or “Nail Gun,” as his teammates call him, made his first summer league All-Star Game with this WCBL selection despite previous strong seasons in the Northwoods League.
“It’s an honour to be selected and to be able to play in front of the fans that are here. It’s really fun to be able to have it at home,” said Skansi, “It’s an honour to play with everyone else that got selected.”
The Dawgs played host to the festivities for a fourth straight season. The home run derby and six innings of ball were squeezed in before heavy rain put a halt on the game.
It may be the final year for a while that Okotoks hosts the event. The Saskatoon Berries were awarded the event for next season.
As for the rest of the Dawgs season, Skansi and the team are holding down a two-and-a-half game lead in the West Division over the Lethbridge Bulls for first place.
They’ll look to keep that spot locked down as the early August playoffs approach.
Adjustments will be key as the team continues to move forward.
“(Coach) Andy Peterson has been talking to me a lot about my mentality and approach to help me feel more comfortable at the plate,” said Skansi. “Schmidty (manager Mitch Schmidt) too, they’ve both been helping me out a lot.”
Skansi completed his final collegiate season as a player with Campbellsville University this spring. Photo: Campbellsville University Athletics
As for what’s next for the 24-year-old, he’ll be returning to school for the upcoming season, but this time as a coach.
Having previously played for the University of Utah, Creighton University, and Campbellsville University, Skansi graduated with his Bachelor’s degree last year at Campbellsville.
Next season, he’ll return there as an assistant coach while he continues his education – this time in pursuit of a Masters in Business Administration.