Kyle Smith did all he could do last Friday.
He threw to his pitch count limit. He used 104 pitches to strike out 12 Liberty Eagles without issuing a single walk.
He allowed five hits and no earned runs over six innings. Smith and the West Hancock Titans lost 6-4 despite outhitting the visitors from Liberty.
Smith, a senior at Warsaw High School, even had a hit and drove in a run but he took the loss even though all six runs were unearned.
Smith, the Daily Gate City Athlete of the Week, has put in a lot of work to improve his hitting since that has always been a struggle for him.
“Last year we had a designated hitter for every time he pitched,” West Hancock coach Kyle Coulter said. “So far this season, he has hit for himself.”
Smith is currently batting over .300 with a double and two RBIs.
His pitching stats from last year were a record of 2-1 with a 3.55 earned run average. He averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, fanning 24 in his 25 2/3 innings pitched. He has doubled that to two whiffs per inning so far this season, fanning a total of 16 in 8 1/3 innings pitched. He has lowered his ERA to 2.52.
Smith excels on the mound when he attacks the strike zone and keeps pressure on the opposing hitters.
Smith was one of the Titans top pitchers last year and was this year’s Opening Day starter, a spot a team’s ace often occupies.
“He has become a team leader,” Coulter said. “He is a great example of how hard work and dedication can lead to success.”
Last week, Smith signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball in college.
Smith is at the top of his class academically so he will be ready for college where he intends to get into physical therapy after needing it himself to be able to return to playing sports.
Smith knows what therapy can do for an athlete. He suffered a knee injury playing football his junior year.
He had to work hard to get back into baseball shape but having “a fantastic work ethic” certainly helps.
“It’s one of his biggest strengths,” Coulter said. “He continued to work hard the whole offseason and is now fully recovered and throwing harder than ever.”
When Smith wasn’t giving baseball lessons to kids in the area through a business he started, the Daily Gate City was able to catch up to Smith to learn a little more about him.
My favorite sport besides baseball is …
Football.
What I like about baseball is …
Like real life, baseball is full of failure. I enjoy being able to learn from my failure through the game to prepare me for real life.
My favorite baseball memory is …
Winning two regional championships in seventh and eighth grade.
My most embarrassing memory in baseball is …
Giving up two home runs to the same kid in two different games.
I think the funniest person on my team is …
Braxton Scott. He brings a lively atmosphere to the dugout and is always making people laugh.
My pregame or gameday routine is …
Eat a good meal before the game, usually for lunch. I also have an extensive stretching and throwing routine which I do every day including game days.
After a game I unwind by…
Running poles if I pitched, usually a pole per 10 pitches. Running soothes my mind and allows me to reflect on the game that I just played. I also like to talk about the game with my dad.
My biggest role model is …
Kyle Hendricks. He is a dominant pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. I try to emulate his passion and composure when I’m pitching. I’ve also been called his same nickname before “The Professor” as I used to wear No. 28 to honor Hendricks.
My favorite subject in school is …
Math of any kind. It has a set way to get to a set answer. The answer is almost always a matter of a fact, which is something that I like.
I need free concert tickets to see …
Zach Bryan. I’ve seen his live performances on YouTube and am a huge fan of his music. The concerts sound like they are really good from what I’ve heard.
The social media platform I use most is …
Facebook, I like to see what is going on in my community. I also promote my baseball lessons business — From The First Pitch — on Facebook as well.
My favorite meal is …
Chicken Alfredo
My favorite TV show is …
The Office
One movie I could watch over and over is …
Moneyball, I like the way it breaks down the money aspect of professional baseball. I also like the way the underdog finds a way to win.
If I won the lottery, my first purchase would be…
A baseball facility to run my lessons out of. It is a dream of mine to run a facility that I can run lessons out of.
My biggest pet peeve is …
When people talk behind other people’s backs. I think that it is very fake to talk behind people’s backs which is not a good quality.
In my free time I enjoy …
Spending time with friends and family. I value my family and friends highly and love to spend quality time with them.
My favorite motivational slogan or quote is …
Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. -Babe Ruth
I used to play baseball in such a timid way until I found this quote. I have a song of it in my room and it reminds me daily to put everything I have into things that I love such as playing baseball.
If I could chose one superpower it would be …
Teleportation. The ability to virtually be in two places at once would be amazing.
My future plans for college are …
I plan to attend the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis. I will study Exercise Physiology and play on the baseball team. I will use my degree in exercise physiology as a prerequisite for Physical Therapy.
In 25 years I see myself ...
Working as a physical therapist helping people overcome their injuries and setbacks. I also hope to be coaching in some way. I have a huge passion for coaching and hope to continue doing it throughout my life.
Something that would surprise people about me is …
I was introverted until I was a part of the Hancock County CEO program. Being a part of the program helped me develop social skills and really come out of my shell to become the person I am today.
