Former Sky View baseball player now considered one of the best in the country

Sky View High School alumnus Mitchell Berryhill has been having an incredible season for the Cal State Fullerton baseball team. The former Bobcat led the nation in batting average for more than a month. Currently, Berryhill is fifth nationally with a .419 batting average. Through 47 games, Berryhill has 72 hits on 172 at bats. According to NCAA Division I baseball statistics, Berryhill is also 12th nationally for Sacrifice Bunts (11) and 25th nationally for On-Base Percentage (.498).

Berryhill was a guest recently during the Full Court Press on 106.9 FM / 1390 AM The Fan. He said all his years of experience are helping him have the season he is currently enjoying.

“I guess it’s just the experience I’ve gained throughout the years,” Berryhill explained. “It’s all, finally, starting to catch up to me.”

If Berryhill can maintain his batting average above .400, he will set a school record with the highest average ever for the Titans. He said it is his approach at the plate which is giving him success.

I just know I’m better than the person on the mound. That’s my mentality every time I go up to the plate,” he exclaimed, “knowing that nobody can beat me, that I’m going to be relaxed.

“I’m going to be sure that person knows I’m going to get a hit off them or get on base some way. There are plenty of ways I can get on base and getting a hit is one of them. I’ve found a way to do that.”

With such a strong batting average and on-base percentage, Berryhill was able to reach first base in 47 straight games. The streak began last year and continued through May 3rd. He was also named the Big West Baseball Field Player of the Week on April 8. He was able to reach base 15 times in 17 plate appearances against Cal Poly the previous week with an outstanding batting average of .833 (10-for-12) with four walks and a hit by pitch.

The senior left-handed outfielder graduated from Sky View in 2013 and was named to the 1st Team All-State baseball team both his junior and senior years. Berryhill has fond memories of his time with the Bobcats.

“I think of the brotherhood that we had there. I think of all the guys who support me now from high school. We never go away from each other. There’s always somebody there looking to talk to me, or I’m looking to talk to them.”

After high school, Berryhill went to Salt Lake Community College for two seasons before transferring to Cal State Fullerton, a program that has sent dozens of players to the Major Leagues and perennially participates in the NCAA tournament. Currently, Cal State Fullerton is 8-10 (22-25 overall) and tied for fourth in the Big West Conference with opportunities to improve their record. This weekend they have a home series against Long Beach State (5-13, 11-38), with the regular season wrapping up next week at Cal State Northridge (8-13, 21-28).

Berryhill said while he has spoken with some Major League Baseball scouts, he is waiting to decide his future after the season.

While that future may or may not take him to bigger ballparks, he encourages all young baseball players to dream big.

“There’s always a place to play,” he encouraged. “I didn’t really have any offers out of high school. I had one to Salt Lake Community College. I was ecstatic.

“I thought it was the best opportunity I was going to have the rest of my life. Then I kept playing well and getting opportunities to come play somewhere else that was big. Then I got lucky with Fullerton. They saw me play somewhere and gave me a shot.”

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