Senior infielder Cole Smith has brought an immediate impact in his first season with NIU baseball.
Smith has been a spark plug at the top of the Huskies’ batting order this season, leading the team in batting average at a .380 clip. The second baseman also leads the team in hits, doubles and runs scored out of the No. 2 spot in the batting order.
Through 27 games this season, Smith has already tied his career high in home runs with three, and has a career high in batting average and slugging percentage.
“It’s really cool to have that success early on,” Smith said. “I think it’s just a credit to this program and the coaching staff. When I went into the portal in the spring I was just looking for a program that focused on winning and that’s what coach Copeland shared with me, is that this program is looking to win.”
Smith has been no stranger to hitting at an efficient rate, as he logged a .328 career batting average at Southeastern Community College in his first two full collegiate seasons.
Smith also played one season at Bradley, in which his batting average dropped to .266 before coming to DeKalb.
“I went into the portal and Copeland was one of the first coaches that reached out to me,” Smith said. “I was very interested right from the get go, knowing coach Copeland’s background is winning, that was something I was looking for. Bradley wasn’t a winning atmosphere and I wanted to find that in the culture here at NIU. So they reached out to me early on, and I came on a visit and I was pretty much sold right away.”
Smith emphasized that winning played a big role in his ultimate decision to come to NIU after seeing team success at SCC in his first two collegiate seasons.
During his two years at SCC, the team compiled a record of 85-40 while making a trip to the Division 2 World Series during his sophomore year in 2024.
Smith’s lone season at Bradley did not bring as much success as his two seasons at the D-II level, going 16-35 with the Braves.
In his first season at NIU, the Huskies have started out with an 18-9 record, 10-5 in the Mid-American Conference and Smith has played a large role in NIU’s lineup.
“It’s exciting, I’m glad I’m getting to be a part of it and it’s just a credit to this group,” Smith said. “We’re a really close group of guys and we trust in each other, we believe in each other and we love each other, and that’s the biggest thing. I think our belief in each other is really just carrying the momentum here early on in the season, and guys are stepping up right now and putting together pretty good seasons. So, it’s just really exciting to be a part of and I’m really glad that I’m here in DeKalb and I’m able to be a part of it.”
NIU’s lineup features many of the MAC’s top power hitters, and Smith attributes their talents to his success.
Hitters like senior outfielder Caden Robertson, who leads the MAC in home runs, and graduate outfielder/first baseman Gavin Baldwin have helped simplify Smith’s approach this season.
“They make my life easier, being in the two-hole,” Smith said. “I just understand that if I don’t come through in this situation, I have guys behind me that will come through. That’s my approach at the plate. I’m gonna work deep into counts, swing at good pitches and get on base as much as I can. I’m not looking to slug like they are, but I’m just looking to get on base and help the team win any way I can.”
The Huskies will continue their season at 3 p.m. Tuesday against Eastern Illinois University at Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park. The game will be streamed on NIU All-Access and live stats for the game will be available via SIDEARM Sports.
