Player: Ian Smith
Position: First baseman
Year: Junior
School: Capital
We probably should go ahead and tell you that this is OAC-week here at BSB. Again it wasn’t planned, but looking at the script of material set to be released this week, it is very Ohio Athletic Conference heavy.
In our second DIII top 30 player from the conference in as many days, we take a trip around I-270 from Westerville to Bexley, providing the equivalence of the Ohio State-Michigan Big Ten rivalry in going back-to-back with Otterbein and Capital players.
As new head coach Ryan Grice takes over the Crusader program, he hopes that his outfielder Ian Smith can become one of the premier athletes in the OAC as is the case with crosstown rival Otterbein’s Brandon Gessner. If the 2009 season was an indication of success to be had, Smith is well on his way in being the force to lead the Capital turnaround.
After advancing to the 2007 OAC tournament championship game with a chance to punch their ticket to a NCAA appearance, the Capital baseball program has fallen on hard times.
In 2007, the Purple & White went 20-21 overall with an 11-7 OAC record.
The two seasons since have not seen Capital success anywhere near that accomplished season. In 2008 Capital struggled to a 10-26-1 record, 2-16 in conference. Last season the Crusaders went 12-26,and 4-14. Six conference wins in two seasons is rarely acceptable anywhere.
As a result changes were made. Ryan Grice was tabbed as the new coach of the program with the responsibility to restore the program to prior success. Upon starting the job Grice stated “I feel that Capital has the tools to become a great baseball program,” Grice said. “The University’s location in Columbus makes it the center of great baseball talent. In addition, Capital already has a strong tradition of winning athletics programs and coaches that we can build upon.”
As we profile Ian Smith a player you’ll see that the product of Magnolia, Ohio where he attended Canton Central Catholic, is a player Grice can build upon.
An honorable mention All-OAC selection as a sophomore, Smith is coming off of a campaign in which he carried the Crusader offensive attack. Smith would lead the club in average at .390. Hits and at-bats with 57 in the 146. Lead with 16 doubles, three home runs and 42 RBI.
While the right-handed hitting Smith collected 89 total bases and slugged .529, the .429 on-base percentage would be nullified by the lack of production around him. Smith would only score 19 runs as no other Capital player finished with more than 35 RBI.
In the field Smith provided steady defense and a solid frame to receive throws being 6’2. In 313 chances Smith committed six errors for a .981 fielding percentage.
The production is a vast improvement and sign to not count out Capital just yet. As a freshman Smith in 25 of Capitals 37 games, batting .243 collecting 18 hits in 74 at-bats while driving in eight runs.
As Smith fills out his frame and continues to experience Division III baseball, his production will continue to improve. Already taking a big step forward from freshman to sophomore year and establishing himself as a proven hitter, the biggest testament to Smith’s capabilities will now be his ability to carry a program into a new era. First base is pretty stacked in the OAC, Smith might be another year away from receiving high conference honors, but he’ll be the power force Capital and Grice needs.
Filed under: Division III
