Manteca’s Slikker Ticks Off The Boxes

The late Wayne Thallander took this photo of Manteca’s Nate Slikker celebrating after a walk-off win from last season. Nate had two triples in his first game this season and has been rolling since then. Photos: Wayne Thallander / Manteca Bulletin & Isai Gutierrez.

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By Isai Gutierrez
Cal-Hi Sports Intern

Whether under the Friday night lights of the football field or in the pressure-packed moments of a baseball game, Manteca High’s Nate Slikker has proven to be a name to watch as he excels as a two-sport standout.

Dominating on the Baseball Diamond

As a freshman last spring, Nate burst onto the scene with a standout season. His pitching stats were nothing short of stellar. He had an 8-3 record with a 1.49 ERA and 67 strikeouts over 56.1 innings. At the plate, Slikker’s dominance continued. He racked up 33 RBI, slashed an impressive .427/.511/.938, and stole 10 bases, solidifying his status as a complete player. His ability to lead both on the mound and at bat played a pivotal role in Manteca’s journey to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 3 quarterfinals. If there were a NorCal Freshman of the Year award, Slikker would undoubtedly have been a top contender. His achievements already place him among the most promising young athletes in Northern California.

With the 2025 baseball season already underway, Slikker started strong, hitting two triples and going 3-for-4 with three RBI in a 17-0 win against Weston Ranch of Stockton. He has been nothing short of impressive so far to start the season. This past week, in a three-game sweep of Mountain House that pushed Manteca to 14-3 overall this season, Nate was a combined 6-for-12 with seven runs scored, one triple and five RBI. For the season, entering this week, he’s batting .400 with 24 runs scored, 20 RBI, three homers and three triples.

The pitching part of Slikker’s game has been somewhat limited so far this spring, but he had a three-hitter with nine strikeouts on March 19 in a 3-0 win against Sierra of Manteca. He had a 1-1 record with a 1.72 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings in his outings at the start of this week.

Slikker looks like he’ll be a tight end on offense plus linebacker/defensive end on defense as he moves along in his football career at Manteca. Photo: Mark Tennis.

While Nate’s main sport is baseball, he was still able to earn himself a spot on Cal-Hi Sports’ Freshman Football Players to Watch list. As a sophomore, Slikker’s progression continued, earning even more recognition during his first year on varsity. Primarily contributing as a tight end and linebacker, he showcased his versatility with 13 receptions for 176 yards and three touchdowns on offense, while delivering on the other side of the ball as well.

While his offensive numbers may not jump off the page, Nate’s contribution as a blocking tight end is what truly helps him stand out on the field. Special teams was also an area where Slikker made his mark by returning an onside kick for a touchdown untouched, which contributed to Manteca’s dominant one-sided 58-18 win against Rodriguez of Fairfield in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Looking ahead, Slikker’s combination of size (6-2, 195 pounds) and athleticism positions him as one of the many players to watch next season on the talented Manteca team. His ability to adapt and excel in multiple roles should give Manteca High an asset on both sides of the ball once again next season.

“It’s kind of fun to just have it,” Slikker said of playing football. “I don’t really see myself taking it past the high school level. Baseball is what I want to do.”

Training Program

When asked about his training program, Nate gave insight into his daily routine and how he stays on top of his game.

Nate Slikker: “In the summer, it’s pretty hectic because I have football, but I’m still doing baseball, so I have a workout for football in the morning and then I’ll go and do a baseball workout right after or I’ll have a tournament so I can’t make it to football. So, I try getting a lift in when I can. Especially during seasons, like right now, on days I don’t have games, I’m waking up at 5 o’ clock in the morning to go lift because my time is so consumed with school and sports so I must lift whenever I can. So sometimes it’s five in the morning or sometimes it’s eleven at night.”

Future Prospect

When looking at a player like Nate, it’s natural to wonder if college programs have already taken notice of his talent and potential. With his impressive skills and drive, it’s only a matter of time before the right opportunities come his way. Nate was asked if there are any college programs that have reached out to him yet.

Nate Slikker: “Not that I know of right now, but I am hoping for this summer, so that I can start getting more active with college programs.”

Cal-Hi Sports: What did you do over the summer/off season to get better and or even get your name out there?

Nate Slikker: “I go play with my travel team called Team Alpha, they’re a big organization who travels, this summer for instance, I’ll be traveling to North Carolina and Georgia and getting my name out there and playing in front of college scouts. That’s what getting my name out looks like, getting in front of the right people and going to the right places and playing with the right teams to get in front of scouts and getting around them so they know who I am. I’ve also been reaching out through emails and stuff to possible coaches that I might see at these tournaments, so that way they know who I am and who to expect when they see me there.”

As Nate continues to work hard and make a name for himself, it’s clear that the future is bright and he’s heading in the right direction. With his dedication to improving and his efforts to get noticed by college scouts, it’s only a matter of time before his next opportunity comes knocking.

Manteca High baseball head coach Mark Ruiz stands alongside sophomore phenom Nate Slikker. Photo: Isai Gutierrez / Cal-Hi Sports.

The Valley Oak League of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section has some tough competition, with talented athletes across multiple sports and schools, all trying to reach the same goals. With the recent addition of Patterson and Mountain House, the league has only become more competitive, making it even more challenging for players to stand out. For athletes like Slikker, excelling in a packed league requires not only skill but also a strong work ethic and leadership qualities.

Manteca head coach Mark Ruiz highlighted Nate’s natural leadership and dedication to the game of baseball.

“He’s just a natural-born leader,” Ruiz said. “He kind of learned the ropes a little bit, knew how to carry himself, you know, on and off the baseball field. He’s a straight-A student, which is great, and then on the field, always talking, getting behind his players, and if he doesn’t have a great play or whatnot, he doesn’t get down about it. He’s always picking up other guys, so I mean, it’s something you really can’t teach.”

That ability to lead and push through adversity gives Nate an edge in a league where every game is a battle. His focus and drive make him a key player to watch as he continues his journey toward his long-term goal of playing at the next level.

Athletics Runs in the Family

Sports aren’t anything new to the Slikker family. Both of Nate’s sisters were volleyball players, with one of his sisters, Riley, playing at Columbia College in Sonora, and both of his parents, Bill and Kathleen, played at the collegiate level as well.

Cal-Hi Sports: Did your parents play sports, and do you have any siblings that play sports?

Nate Slikker: “My mom and dad both played sports. My dad played football at Sacramento State and my mom played field hockey at Ball State. My two sisters both played volleyball, so my family has a big background.”

Bill Slikker also remains a big name in Manteca since he was a former vice principal and athletic director at the school for seven years. He left in 2021 to become principal/superintendent at Valley Springs Joint School District.

A Future Full of Potential

“The fear of just not being good enough and possibly not making it, is what drives me to be better and work harder.” Slikker says.

Only a sophomore, Nate Slikker has already accomplished a lot in just two years. But for Slikker, this is only the beginning. With two more years of high school ahead, he has the potential to take his game to the next level. His versatility across multiple sports, ability to perform under pressure, and relentless drive to improve make his future undeniably bright.

Isai Gutierrez is a new intern since February at Cal-Hi Sports. He is a 2024 graduate of Sierra High in Manteca, currently attends Modesto Junior College and has goals of perhaps going to college and becoming a sports journalist.