As part of our look into South Jersey baseball, we want to know a little bit more about some of the region's players. Kyle Smith, a senior pitcher and infielder for Sterling, talked over a variety of things with reporter Josh Friedman.
JF: What are your impressions of the team so far?
KS: We don't give up. Two of our wins recently, (Monday and Tuesday), came in the seventh inning. … We always stay together and have each other's backs and believe in each other.
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JF: Sterling was 9-14 last season but has started this year 4-1. What's been the difference?
KS: I feel like our pitching staff is so much better. We throw strikes, we surrender less walks, we play great defense and our hitting is coming along.
JF: You had the go-ahead hit in your comeback win over Haddon Heights on Tuesday. What was that like?
KS: I wouldn't have been able to get the winning hit if it wasn't for the guys before me who led off the inning. … Personally, it gives me a lot of relief, a lot of confidence so when I'm in that spot again I know I can do it.
JF: How did you improve on the mound during the offseason?
KS: I improved my velocity this summer and got up to 86 and I'm still trying to improve, I'm lifting more. And I worked on a slider. It drops more and it has more of a slide so when I throw it in the middle of the plate it slides all the way to the outside so it hits the corner. I also got a new grip on my changeup so it has more drop and not just a slower speed and it keeps hitters off balance.
JF: What's it like playing your senior season?
KS: I want to have no regrets because in basketball season I had a lot of regrets for holding back. I don't want to have regrets and (I want to) have fun on the team. I'm a clown on the team. I like to keep 'em loose and focused and make sure they're having fun instead of feeling so pressured.
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JF: How are you the team clown?
KS: I have a little stuffed animal I come around with, it's a good luck charm. Her name is Elle, it's a little elephant.
JF: How long have you been doing that?
KS: When we played in our Manasquan game last year it was long ride, so I needed a pillow so I brought my stuffed elephant and it became our mascot. I started using it during the summer and it became a good luck charm, and now I brought it into the season.
JF: You mentioned regrets during the basketball season. What were they?
KS: I felt like I didn't do enough to help my team get to the championship. We fell short and I felt I could've done more to have a better record and have a better position in the playoffs. I had a lot of regret because I didn't put everything out there 110 percent and I don't want that to happen during the baseball season.
JF: You're committed to Rider. Why did you decide to go there?
KS: I chose Rider because it gives me a good academic (opportunity). I want to be a major in business and they have one of the (better) programs for business, and coach (Barry) Davis was a really cool dude. He took me on a tour and it felt like home, and I'm not that far from home so my parents can come see my play. They're my biggest supporters so I want them to cheer me on.
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JF: What do you like to do off the field?
KS: I just hang with my friends, usually get ice cream a lot. I like to go bowling, usually it's just sports.
JF: Ice cream? How often?
KS: Like twice a week I get this ice cream from this place called Mueller's (Lindenwold). It's like two minutes away from me. I get this s'mores ice cream, which is amazing. I recommend it.
JF: What's something people don't know about you?
KS: I'm a huge fan of Justin Bieber, old Justin Bieber.
JF: Why?
KS: I think my sister (Courtney), when she was a teenager I heard it so much and I think it grew on me and I kind of enjoy it. Whenever it comes on I can't resist and I have to sing.
JF: If you ever made the majors, what would be your walk-up song?
KS: It'd have to be something country. If it was right now, it'd be probably either something Thomas Rhett or Sam Hunt.
Josh Friedman; @JFriedman57; (856) 486-2431; jfriedman2@gannettnj.com
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