New head coach has high expectations for Mustangs

“Y ou must set the bar high if you want to achieve great things as a program.” That’s the mentality first-year Central Arkansas Christian baseball coach Patrick Smith has for the Mustangs on the diamond this year. Smith takes over from former Mustangs coach Hayden Cruce, the man who led CAC to a 22-8 record and a place in the quarterfinals of the state championships a year ago. While expectations from the public may be high, Smith said he thinks the Mustangs can improve upon last year’s finish. “Our goals are to represent CAC baseball, win a conference championship and win a state championship,” Smith said. “That will never change.” To help in his pursuit, Smith has several key players returning from the 2017 team. He has two experienced catchers behind the plate in senior Blake Fairchild and junior Troy Flowers. Throwing to them are sophomores Rhett James, Samuel Pitre and Eli Garrison, along with senior Jake Paddie. The coach said James is the Mustangs’ best arm, and he is also one of their best power hitters.

The Mustangs’ strength is their leftto-middle infield. When Garrison, Pitre and James aren’t pitching, they’re versatile, playing both shortstop and third base. Junior Hue Miller starts at second base and is a high average hitter and quick on the basepaths. Smith also noted that sophomore Zane Rainwater and junior Collin Johnson have improved upon their speed in the offseason. One of the team’s few seniors, Callum Hathcock, has one of the highest-velocity arms, as does Garrison, the coach said. As a result of the team’s lack of seniors, no Mustangs have committed to play college baseball, the coach said. Smith doesn’t focus on a single series when looking at the team’s schedule. “All of the games are important to us as a team,” Smith said.