An avid athlete, baseball and soccer keep him on the playing fields, 17-year-old Jacob Smith plays first base and back-up pitcher for Orcutt Academy High School. A senior when he returns to school in the fall, his fielding percentage for the 2015 season—.993 with 10 double plays, six assists, and one error—earned him the third place spot in the Los Padres League for fielding as a first baseman and a trophy for his mantel.
Although Smith had just eight appearances on the mound, with a 4.67 ERA, the left-handed pitcher expects that his pitching appearances will climb next season.
He has been swinging a bat since he could stand, according to his mom, Melanie. From playing in the yard and neighborhood fields with his dad and sometimes-coach, Eric, to a short stint with Orcutt National before moving up to Orcutt American and the Babe Ruth All Stars, Smith’s young career seemed to be preparing him for his time on the field with the Orcutt Academy Spartans.
“I would definitely call baseball a passion of mine,” Smith said. “I was influenced at a very young age by my dad; he really brought me up in the sport. After my time in little league, things started to get competitive, and it started to get really fun, and it’s nice that I have had some success with this sport.”
Born in Soquel in 1998, Smith moved with his family from Santa Cruz to Santa Maria in 2001 when he was 3. Picking up the nickname of “Speedy” during his little league days; his coaches over the years have included Doug May, Mark Andersen, and Greg Ryver, with Rich Pili and Smith’s dad lending a hand as assistant coaches. Smith’s coached by Jim Rose and Assistant Coach Austin Muro at Orcutt Academy.
“We have a great coaching staff at Orcutt Academy,” Smith said. “They are always encouraging and they keep an enlightening environment for us. What we as players need to work on before next season is our team chemistry and being more connected as a team.”
Calling himself, “the guy who tries to get everyone pumped up” before games, Smith said he likes to help other players stay focused and “keep their heads in the game.”
Strong and determined, Smith fractured his right ankle and had two stainless steel pins inserted in 2013, but that didn’t keep him down, according to his mom.
“He got back to the sports that he loves and is thankful for every day on the field,” Melanie said. “He has a positive attitude and appreciates the support that his family and friends show him.”
Melanie said her son gives teams his all and never misses a practice or game. Referring to his teammates as “a great group,” Smith enjoys his time on the playing field with his fellow Spartans.
In addition to participating in twice-weekly practices with the Spartans soccer team during the summer months, Smith’s involved with strength training and conditioning three days a week with Muro, placing focus on arm velocity and health care for his return to the baseball field next season.
“Coach Muro is great—he really pushes you to do your best,” Smith said. “One thing he told me that I always keep in mind is ‘the amount of work you put in is the amount of progress you’re going to see.’ That clicked with me and keeps me going strong in training. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s great, and I know it will pay off.”
A busy and focused athlete, Smith still finds time to support his younger sister, Hope, in her soccer endeavors, kicking the ball with her or taking pictures at her games. In his spare time, he enjoys paintballing and a “good bonfire now and then.” His hobbies include photography, film making and video editing.
Sun contributor Meagan Friberg can be reached through interim Editor Camillia Lanham at clanham@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 2-9, 2015.
