William Carey University junior pitcher Devin Smith was selected for Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference honors.
The 2015 Mt. Hermon graduate is a second-team all-conference pitcher and he made the conference’s all-academic team.
Smith posted a 6-3 record with a 3.46 ERA during the regular season. Smith pitched in 15 games that covered seven starts and 67-2/3 innings. He struck out 61 and walked 29. Smith threw one complete game.
“It was pretty awesome when I went up there and they called my name,” Smith said. “I had been pitching relief and then they brought me back to starting, so I was surprised when I got a starting pitcher award. All offseason, I focused on improving my pitches.
“We have a really good defense and I got a lot of run support, so that always helps with my confidence because pitching with a lead makes a difference.”
On the academic side, Smith said that student comes first in student-athlete.
“That’s the main part of it,” Smith said. “My dad has always preached that to me. If you don’t make the grades, you don’t get to play. If the talent is equal and you have a 3.8 and the other guy has a 2.8, they’re going to take the guy with the 3.8 hands down. A lot of kids don’t realize, but grades make a difference. Coaches and scouts look at that.”
William Carey have a 33-23 record and posted a 14-10 mark in SSAC play.
The Crusaders played in the conference tournament last week.
William Carey is hosting the 2018 NAIA Baseball National Championship-Opening Round from May 14-17.
The Crusaders are the No. 5 seed and open the event Monday against fourth-seeded LSU-Shreveport at 12:30 p.m.