Al Smith Season 2004

Honors & Awards

• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Fall 2003; Spring 2004)

2005 Outlook: Sophomore Al Smith returns after backing up All-Big 12 infielder Curtis Ledbetter in 2004 ? Appeared in 18 games as a true freshman, batting .296 with a homer and three RBIs, despite playing most of the second half of the year with a shoulder injury ? Missed the entire fall after having shoulder surgery in September, but is expected to return to action this spring ? Was a former two-time all-state pick in high school, guiding Omaha Westside to a 32-3 record and a state title as a senior ? Named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in his first two semesters at NU, carrying a 3.505 GPA.

2004: Smith was a valuable reserve, backing up All-Big 12 first baseman Curtis Ledbetter ? Batted .296 with a homer and three RBIs in 18 games, as he also saw time at designated hitter ? Showed a knack for getting on base, ranking second with a .486 on-base percentage, as he drew six walks and was hit by four pitches in just 37 plate appearances ? Appeared in six league tilts, hitting .333 with a double and an RBI ? Enjoyed his best Big 12 series at No. 1 Texas in Austin, going 2-for-6 with one hit-by-pitch against the Longhorns ? Drove in his only run in Big 12 play with an RBI double at Missouri on April 17 ? Replaced an injured Curtis Ledbetter in the series against New Mexico (April 5-6), going 2-for-5 while drawing a career-high three walks in the finale ? Belted his first career homer off Boston College starter Kevin Shepard in a win over the Eagles on March 19 ? Hit twice in his only two plate appearances vs. Creighton (4/20) ? Delivered a pinch-hit RBI single vs. Northern Iowa on May 11.

Omaha Westside High School: Smith was one of the state’s top players during his prep career at Omaha Westside for Coach Bob Greco ? Chosen as the state’s top high school draft prospect by Baseball America after guiding Westside to a 32-3 record, a state title and a No. 10 national ranking from USA Today in 2003 ? Was a two-time All-Nebraska selection by both the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald after hitting .500 with seven homers and 47 RBIs as a senior ? Paced the state in RBIs and ranked among state leaders in nearly every major category, including batting average (third), runs (47, second), homers (second) and hits (53, second) ? Tabbed an all-metro honoree in 2003 after hitting .483 with six homers and 38 RBIs.

Personal: Born on Aug. 16, 1984, in Omaha ? Parents are Phil and Sherry Smith ? Has two brothers (Nate and Matt) ? Is a general studies major.

Year       Avg   GP-GS     AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR  RBI   BB   SO   SB-ATT
2004....  .296   18-10     27    4    8    1    0    1    3    6    7    0-1
TOTAL...  .296   18-10     27    4    8    1    0    1    3    6    7    0-1