POULSBO — As of Monday morning, it was official. Andy Smith, a senior at North Kitsap High, will be taking to the diamond next year as a University of Washington Husky. Smith signed his national letter of intent Monday morning at the high school in front of Vikings baseball coach Jeff Weible, North Athletic coordinator John Waller and his (proud) mom, Kim Smith.
Smith is a familiar face to Viking fans. He played for North his sophomore year, then moved with his family to Utah and played for Syracuse High School last year. The family returned to Kitsap this summer.
In his sophomore year at North, Smith racked up some impressive numbers offensively. He rocked the plate, garnering a .431 batting average, with 31 hits in 73 at-bats. Smith managed 21 singles, four doubles, one triple and 12 stolen bases. He knocked the ball over the fence for five home runs. He’s equally talented in the classroom, as he sports a 3.9 grade point average.
“Andy is all about speed,” UW head baseball coach Ken Knutson stated in a press release. “He’s the fastest guy in the class and he has great center field skills.”
Smith, who fills the dual role of southpaw pitcher for North, will play outfield for the Huskies.
To say he’s excited about the opportunity to play Pac 10 baseball is an understatement. Since he was 5 years old, baseball has been a staple in the two-sporter’s life.
“I like the challenge. That’s what I like about any sport,” he said. Smith also played football for North this year but was sidelined when he broke his leg in the first game of the season. He made a return to the field in the last three games.
Though he enjoyed his time on the gridiron, the baseball diamond is where Smith’s niche lies.
Smith’s debut for the Vikings was quite smashing, Weible said. He stepped up to the plate and promptly sent the ball right over the fence.
“As a coach you hate to see that,” Weible said, as that made him believe Smith was going to gun for the fence in every at-bat. To Weible’s relief, that did not happen.
Weible said Smith’s hot bat and quickness will play a strong role in the Vikings performance on the field this year. The Vikings start their season on March 2.
Even with his impressive statistics on the field and his Dawgged determination in the classroom, his ego is well in check, Kim Smith said.
By far the biggest challenge for Smith’s transition from North to UW will lie squarely in Kim Smith’s lap. Mom will have to get used to Smith being out of the house.
“It is very overwhelming. I know he’ll be well taken care of,” she said. To cushion the blow of her son’s transition into adulthood, UW is only a ferry ride away.
