By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Country Christian/North Clackamas Christian-grad Tyson Smith was back to work on Sunday doing what he does best:
Throwing a baseball.
As a member of the Vencer College Prep 18U squad, Smith saw his first action of the Summer at Chemeketa Community College, going four innings with six strikeouts. The performance comes off an historic career with the 2A/1A program where Smith broke the All-Time Strikeout record during his senior year. Smith finished his four-year career with 603.
“It was a blessing. It was great to get out there and make a name for myself. Showing that kids from small schools can do a lot. I look back at guys at Regis and Kennedy that are playing College Ball and that’s been my pushing and motivation for myself of ‘if they can do it, I can do it’,” said Smith.
Smith described his outing on Sunday against MoundTime as adjusting to a different environment than what he’s used to. The mound, the field, the new team he’s getting to play with to bridge his Cougar career going into his freshman year at Linn-Benton Community College.
“Adjust, but prepare myself to go out here and face different competition, different teams, different player and what not. Go attack and have fun, enjoy the Summer and making sure that I’m taking care of his arm. Just having fun, growing and learning,” said Smith.
Smith’s day ended going into the fifth, where he took up second base as Sprague-grad Riley Wilson took to the bump in the fifth.
Vencer led MoundTime 6-3 at this point and pitched three shutout innings to close out what became a 7-3 victory on the day. Wilson struck out four batters while permitting three hits as the former Olympian pitcher and infielder prepares for his freshman year at Lewis and Clark College this next school year.
“Yeah just trying to get prepared for the Fall, do whatever I can to make a good first impression when I get into the program. This is going to be a lot of high-level competition this Summer and it’s going to be good,” said Wilson. “I’m trying to throw strikes, we got a good defense behind me. Just got to make sure I filled it up early and often and do whatever I can.”
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
