Veteran Profile - Carson Smith

Veteran Profile - Carson Smith

Maryville, Mo. - Carson Smith is the B2R's featured veteran today. Carson is a Senior from Kimballton, Iowa. The proud graduate of Elk Horn Kimballton High School stands 6'1" and weighs 205 lbs.  Carson throws a heavy ball.  I mean, hard. Carson burst on to the scene in 2015 and earned the closer's spot with his nasty stuff and exemplary performances. Carson was a promising youngster after he finished his red-shirt freshman year with 17 appearances, including 3 starts, with 27 strike-outs and a 4.63 ERA. Carson battled significant injuries that essentially robbed him of his 2013 and 2014 seasons. Finally healthy in 2015, Carson fought his way to the club's closer and held it the entire season. Carson is a great person. Great teammate. Extremely competitive. Confident. The B2R saw him teaching the younger pitchers with tips and ideas in practice. Hard worker. His injuries probably should have ended his playing career but the kid battled back and rebuilt his shoulder and arm. Hard worker. Leader. Has an ornery side. If you look at just the right time, you will see him crack a devilish half-smile knowing something is afoot in the dugout, bullpen, or clubhouse. The thing about Carson, you just don't know when or where and usually without sufficient details to trace it back to him. Smith's more than 3 to 1 strike-out to walk ratio was the best on the team. He appeared in the most games as a pitcher on the team, too. Family comes first with Carson. B2R thinks he is going to make a great Dad one day.

Here is the write-up about Carson from bearcatsports.com -

2015
Named All-MIAA honorable mention ... appeared in 21 games for Northwest ... led the team with nine saves ... had a 4.29 ERA, pitching 35.2 innings with 33 strikeouts and allowing just 10 walks ... worked 15 scoreless outings ... had six hitless outings ... tallied 12 multi-strikeout outings ... was 4-3 on the year ... got wins against Central Missouri (March 8), Fort Hays State (March 22), Peru State (March 31) and Lindenwood (Apr. 4).

2014
Appeared in one game for the Bearcats … pitched 0.2 innings on the season

2013
Pitched in two games for the Bearcats

2012
Had 17 appearances on the mound earning 3 starts … pitched in 44.2 innings with an ERA of 4.63 … Struck out 27 batters

2011
Redshirt season

2015 Statistics - Carson earned a 4.29 ERA last season with a win/loss record of 4-3, appeared in 21 games, recorded 9 saves, worked 35.2 innings, allowed 36 hits, 17 earned runs, 10 walks, 33 strike-outs, 1 wild pitch, hit 2 batters, and did not commit a balk.

B2R thoughts - Carson was the lock-down closer in 2015. If the Bearcats are going to be successful, they will need additional bullpen help to get the game from the starters to the closer. So far in 2016, the Bearcats bullpen looks to have several strong and effective arms to get the game to the closer. Carson's passion and energy on the mound is undeniable. Nothing gets the B2R pumped-up more than to see Carson walking off the mound after a 3rd out, hit the palm of his glove, and yell "let's go" giving high-fives to the guys coming off the field. Look for great things from Carson Smith in 2016 and in life.

Go Cats!!

###