Right-hander Smith signs with Bruins

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Bellevue University baseball coach Duane Monlux announced today the signing of Nate Smith (Eagle, Idaho/Blue Mountain CC) to a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Bellevue beginning in the fall of 2020.

Smith, a right-handed pitcher, comes to Bellevue after playing two years junior college ball. He spent his freshman season at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho, helping the Golden Eagles to the NJCAA World Series, before transferring to Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Ore.

As a freshman in 2018, he appeared in six games out of the bullpen for CSI, working a total of 8.2 innings. In his role he limited opposing hitters to a .176 batting average and struck out nearly a batter per inning (8.3 K/9) but did issue nearly as many walks.

Smith turned in a strong season in 2019 after transitioning to a starting role at his new school. With Blue Mountain, he appeared in 12 games (11 starts) and pitched to a 4-6 record. He saw a dip in his strikeout rate (6.8 K/9) but cut also his walks significantly. Opponents hit .290 off him in 58.2 innings on the hill.

Coach Monlux on Smith:

"We are excited that Nate has decided to join the Bruin family. We had our eye on him a year ago, but things didn't work out for him to join the Bruins. He will now be a part of our program for the 2021 season. As a freshman, he was a member of the College of Southern Idaho squad that advanced to the NJCAA World Series. He transferred to Blue Mountain CC for his sophomore season where he was able to pitch a lot of quality innings. We are excited to see what he can do as a Bruin."

Smith joins Dalton Stamper (Lewiston, Idaho/Wenatchee Valley) in the Bruins' 2020 signing class.

The Bruins are currently 9-11 on the season but have qualified for the Avista NAIA World Series twice in the past four seasons and have reached the NAIA National Tournament in nine-straight campaigns. In the program's storied history, BU has qualified for 22 National Tournaments, made 14 World Series Appearances, and won the 1995 National Championship.

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