Skyline College Men's Baseball Coaches

Bio

As just the sixth Head Baseball Coach in the history of the Skyline College Trojans program, Tony Brunicardi enter his fifth season at the helm of the Trojans for the 2026 season. Entering his 19th collegiate coaching season and 16th at Skyline College, Tony Brunicardi previously served as the Associate Head Coach for the Trojans under the legendary coach, Dino Nomicos.

In his four seasons, the Trojans have excelled as a team, as individuals, and in the classroom.  As a team, Coach Brunicardi’s Trojans are 120-52 (.698) overall and 57-23 (.713) in the Coast North Conference.  The .698 winning percentage ranks eight in California since 2021.  Additionally, the Trojans have won the Coast Conference North Championship three times (2022, 2024, 2025), earning Regional appearances every year, and three Super-Regional appearances (2022, 2024, 2025).

On the diamond, individual Trojans have also had unprecedented success.  Over four seasons, the Trojans have had five All-Americans, five All-Northern Californians, and three Rawlings Gold Glove recipients recognized nationally.  Additionally, within the Coast Conference North, the Trojans have had 36 All-Conference selections, the 2023 and 2025 Batting Champion, and the 2022 and 2025 Pitcher of the Year.

Academic and transfer rates have also continued to flourish under the guidance of Coach Brunicardi.  The Trojans accumulative GPA over four years is an impressive 3.47.  Additionally, 96% of student-athletes have graduated and/or transferred to a four-year university, with a remarkable 73% continuing their baseball careers, receiving scholarships to the next level.

Since Coach Brunicardi rejoined the Trojans in 2012, the program has felt the impact each year. Initially the pitching coach, Coach Brunicardi took on multiple roles throughout his time at Skyline College, working with the offense, defense and pitching staff. In each season as the pitching coach the pitching staff improved in Wins, K-BB Ratio, and Team ERA. Individual success was also seen, as Coach Brunicardi was instrumental in the development of pitchers such as Dan Molieri (CSU Stanislaus), Julian Merryweather (Oklahoma Baptist-Toronto Blue Jays), Tyler Cyr (Embry-Riddle University-San Francisco Giants), Aldo Severson (Sonoma State), Ray Falk (University of Mississippi), and Cole Watts (Houston Astros).

Coach Brunicardi helped multiple student-athletes flourish and develop on the offensive side as well. In 2017, Ryan McSwain finished the season as the state leader in stolen bases (37) and top 12 in batting average (.411). While in that same year, Kyle Barret finished 8th in the state in HR (12) and tied for 3rd in RBI (54). In 2015, Phil Caulfield finished top 20 in the state in both batting average (.374) and stolen bases (18).

From 2008-2010, Coach Brunicardi began his collegiate coaching career and served as the bullpen coach for Sacramento State, where he coached the pitchers and was active in the program’s recruiting. Additionally, during this time Coach Brunicardi served as the head coach of the El Dorado Hill Vipers Connie Mack team during the summers from 2008-2010. Under Coach Brunicardi’s guidance the Vipers made two Connie Mack Super Regionals and one Connie Mack Regional appearance. During his tenure with the Vipers, Coach Brunicardi’s main goal was to prepare his players for their transition to college baseball. Some players included Kyle Porter (UC Berkeley), Andrew Knapp (UC Berkeley), Rhys Hoskins (Sacramento State), Will Soto (Sacramento State), and Nate Esposito (Oregon State).

In 2010, Coach Brunicardi took his first job as a pitching coach at Yuba College. Under Coach Brunicardi the Yuba staff posted a 3.43 cumulative ERA. Under Brunicardi’s guidance Matt Vedo earned 1st team All-Conference honors and a scholarship to UC Santa Barbara. Additionally, while at Yuba College, Coach Brunicardi served as the recruiting coordinator, 3rd Base Coach and helped with academic counseling.

In 2011, Coach Brunicardi served as a pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Cosumnes River College, with the team advancing to the Super Regional playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons. Additionally, Coach Brunicardi served as the 3rd base coach and worked with the student-athletes in the weight room.

A 2003 graduate of Burlingame High School, Coach Brunicardi still holds multiple school pitching records. Coach Brunicardi was a standout three-sport athlete earning All-County honors in baseball, basketball and football. Coach Brunicardi was named the 2002 County Pitcher of the Year and in 2003 was named to the All-County team along with being named the PAL Pitcher of the Year. Following graduation Brunicardi pitched for two seasons at Skyline from 2005-2006, accumulating a 3.91 ERA while earning four wins and four saves. In 2007, Brunicardi transferred to Sacramento State where his playing career finished following a career ending injury in his senior season.

Coach Brunicardi received his Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from California State University of Sacramento in 2008 and a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from St. Mary’s College of California in 2013. He and his wife Alyssa reside in San Mateo and recently welcomed their first child, Aubrie.

Marcus Pointer (8^th Season)

Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach

pointerm@smccd.edu

Entering his eighth season at Skyline College, Marcus Pointer returns as the associate head coach and pitching coach for the Trojans in 2026 season.  In his tenure at Skyline College and throughout his coaching career, Coach Pointer has consistently produced multiple all-conference pitchers each year while seeing a vast majority of his pitchers transfer to a four-year university. Throughout his career he has worked with players from over 100 different colleges across NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and Junior College levels.  

Widely regarded as one of the best pitching coaches in California, Coach Pointer has continually developed some of the top pitchers and pitching staffs in the state.  Under Coach Pointer’s guidance, Conor Hourigan (2022) and Steven Dalton (2025) were named Coast Conference North Pitcher of the Year.  Additionally, Coach Pointer has helped produce three All-Northern Californians (Conor Hourigan, Michael Sarhatt, Rowen Barnes) and an All-American (Steven Dalton).

In 2022, Coach Pointer led the Trojans pitching staff to its best finish in program history on their way to a historic conference championship. In 372 innings pitched, the Trojans allowed just 308 hits (1^st in the state), 125 runs (1^st in the state), with a 3.02 ERA (1^st in the state).  Additionally, individuals thrived with the guidance of Coach Pointer.  Three Trojan pitchers took home all-conference honors, Rowen Barnes (1st Team All-Conference Starting Pitcher), Benito Valle-Jhanda (2nd Team All-Conference Starting Pitcher), Michael Sarhatt (1st Team All-Conference Utility), while Conor Hourigan was named Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year.

A Pacifica native, Marcus was a three-year varsity standout at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, graduating in 2007.  Upon graduating, Coach Pointer pitched two highly decorated seasons at Skyline College.  With the Trojans he won a combined 22 games while earning 1st Team All-Conference, Unanimous Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, and 1st-Team All-American.

Following his tenure with the Trojans, Marcus earned a scholarship and transferred to University of the Pacific where he immediately became the staff ace on the Tigers’ all-time winningest team in the Big West Conference.  For the Tigers, Coach Pointer accumulated a 13-9 record over two years, while throwing four complete games and striking out 130 batters in over 200 innings pitched.  To finish his playing career, Marcus played a season professionally in the PECOS League for the Roswell Invaders.

Coach Pointer started his coaching career in 2015, spending two seasons with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in the Alaska Baseball League as their pitching coach.  Coach Pointer then joined the Orange County Riptide as the pitching coach, winning a championship in the California Collegiate League in 2017. Additionally, Coach Pointer spent the three seasons as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Canada College in Redwood City. 

In 2018, Coach Pointer was appointed pitching coach of the Duluth Huskies in the Northwoods League, one of the top collegiate leagues in the country. In the 2019 season, Coach Pointer was promoted to Manager of the Huskies.  Since joining the Huskies, Coach Pointer has mentored 2 League MVPs, the  All Star Game MVP, selected as the Manager for the Major League Dreams Showcase, and led the team to two Great Plains Division Championships. Additionally, Coach Pointer has seen over 50 of his players selected in the annual Major League Baseball Draft. 2019 Duluth Huskie Wade Meckler, became the first player managed by Coach Pointer to reach the Major League level with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. 

Marcus earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from the University of the Pacific in 2012 and currently resides in Pacifica, CA

Anthony Granato (5th Season)

Hitting Coach

granatoa@smccd.edu

Anthony Granato returns for his fifth season as Hitting Coach for the Trojans.  Coach Granato is instrumental on both sides of the ball, working with the hitters and infielders.  Well respected throughout the baseball community, Anthony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his amazing playing and coaching career.

In his tenure with the Trojans, Coach Granato has consistently developed some of the best offenses and offensive players in the state.  Over four seasons, the Trojans are hitting .313 as a team, stealing over 100 bases every year, while ranking in the top 15 in runs scored, extra base hits, runs batted in, stolen bases, and batting average.

Individuals have also benefited from Coach Granato’s guidance, as 26 Trojans have taken home all-conference honors.  Under Coach Granato’s guidance, four Trojans (Elijah Fairchild, Jace Jermiah, Jesse Pierce, Ethan Bergan) were named All-Americans, with two (Michael Sarhatt, Max Coupe) being named All-Northern Californian.  Additionally, Coach Granato developed two (Preston Lau, Nick Tobin) Coast Conference North batting champions.

The founder of GamePrep Baseball Academy, Coach Granato has helped groom some of the top baseball players to come from the Bay Area.  With the goal of providing an academy unlike anyone else, GamePrep has become both locally and nationally recognized as it has helped prepare, develop, and move on over 100+ players into the college and professional baseball ranks. Such players as Jared Mettam (St. Mary’s College), Kyle Pruhsmeier (Fresno State University), Thomas McCarthy (University of San Francisco), Nick Lopez (Stanford University), Nate Fleischli (Stanford University), and Drew Dowd, 8^th round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays and former Stanford University LHP, have all gone through the academy on their path to success.

Coach Granato has also served as an Associate Scout with the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball organization from 2017 - 2021, and was responsible for identifying professional talent in the greater Bay Area and much of Northern California. Currently, Coach Granato serves as the National Infield Coordinator for the New Balance Future Stars Series and Program 15.

Prior to joining the Trojans, Anthony served as the Head Coach for Sacred Heart Preparatory high school for 6 seasons.  Joining the Gators paid immediate dividends, as Sacred Heart Preparatory won their first ever CCS title in Coach Granato’s first season at the helm.  Along with team success, Coach Granato has helped individual athletes succeed and receive scholarships to the next level.  During his five season Coach Granato has moved on such athletes as Will Johnson (Tulane University), Cole March (UC Davis), Angelo Tonas (Georgetown University), Dominic Cacchione (Arizona State University), and Andrew Daschbach (Stanford University).

Graduating in 1999 from Burlingame High School, Anthony was a three sport (baseball, basketball, football) star throughout his high school career.  Setting multiple records in multiple sports, Anthony was highly recruited to play both baseball and football collegiately.  Deciding on baseball, Anthony began his collegiate career at Skyline College, playing two unbelievable seasons for the Trojans.

In two seasons at Skyline College, Anthony proved to be the best player to ever play in a Trojan uniform.  Hitting over .500 in his two years, Coach Granato additionally led the Trojans in almost every offensive category in both his years at Skyline College while earning All-American honors during his sophomore season.  The success at Skyline College earned Anthony a scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).  While at VCU Anthony was equally amazing.  In two seasons at VCU, Anthony hit .319 with 10 homeruns, 10 triples, 27 doubles, while stealing 66 bases and only getting caught 7 times.  Specifically, Anthony stole 44 bases his senior season, second in the nation, an earned Louisville Slugger All-American 2^nd Team honors.

Following his amazing collegiate career, Coach Granato played professionally for 10 years.  During his professional career, Coach Granato spent time with the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, multiple Independent Baseball organizations, and international professional organizations.  Highlighting his professional career, Coach Granato was the starting shortstop for the Italian National Team that competed in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. 

Coach Granato earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a proud dad of his son Dempsey.

Jake Pashby (5th Season)

Catching Coach/1^st Base Coach

Jake Pashby enters his fifth season as the catching coach for the Skyline College baseball program.  In addition to coaching the catchers, Coach Pashby acts as the 3^rd base coach and participates heavily in recruiting for the Trojans.  In his tenure with the Trojans, Coach Pashby has also spent time as the 1^st base coach.

In his four seasons with the Trojans, Coach Pashby has developed some of the best catchers in the state of California.  Each season has seen a Trojan catcher earn Coast Conference North 1^st Team All-Conference honors. Jeremy Keller (2022), Ethan Bergan (2023 2024), and Vinhson Nguyen (2025) were all named to the all-conference team over the past four seasons.

During the summer of 2022, Pashby joined the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods Collegiate Baseball League as a SACH (Scouting, Analytics, Coaching, Hybrid) intern, transforming their analysis team.   In the 2023 summer, Coach Pashby was promoted and made his debut as hitting coach and 3^rd base coach for the Huskies. 

Jake Pashby is a native of Daly City, California and a class of 2018 graduate of Archbishop Riordan High School. After graduating high school, Pashby spent his freshman year attending De Anza College in Cupertino, California before transferring to Skyline College for two years. Pashby played for the Trojans his second year before joining the coaching staff.

Lucas Robinson (3rd Season)

Strength and Conditioning Coordinator

Lucas Robinson rejoins the Trojan family for the 2023-2024 season and will serve as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for Skyline College Baseball.  The Trojans are already benefiting from Lucas, as he has completely overhauled the strength and conditioning program for the team.

A former Trojan, Lucas pitched for the Trojans and legendary coach, Dino Nomicos, in 2001 and 2002.  After two highly successful season for the Trojans, Lucas transferred to DI Marist College in upper New York. 

Additionally, Lucas owns his own strength and conditioning business, Lucas Robinson Strength. His business focuses helping busy professionals, who train at home, shed body fat, increase energy levels, and create better habits for a healthier lifestyle.