Infield shift a solution to ’Noles first problem
Smith adapts to new position, but FSU’s bats must awaken
FSU’s Carter Smith is mobbed by teammates after scoring against Georgia during the Athens Regional.
OMAHA, Neb. – Sure, Carter Smith saw himself playing in the College World Series while growing up, just not at first base.
Yet there he was, the junior in his first year with Florida State, diving to his right to snag a scorched ground ball in the first inning of Monday’s loss to Michigan. When Smith transferred from Florida Southwestern State College, he came with catcher’s gear.
“I didn’t even have a first baseman’s mitt,” Smith said. “I had to find one and break it in in two or three days.”
The transition — after brief stops at third and second — took a bit longer. Smith played one season at first base at The Canterbury School, where he and current teammate Cooper Swanson helped the team win a 2016 Class 3A state championship.
“The hardest part is the reaction time,” Smith said. “Jumping off with a runner on first, it’s quick reaction when you’re hopping.”
Coach Mike Martin was searching for options after previous first basemen Swanson and Nico Baldor each struggled at the plate. He sensed Smith could
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Game 9: provide enough offense and quickly develop defensively.
“I was pleased with his maturation process,” Smith said. “We’ve used him all over the field and first base was the best spot for him.”
And if baseball doesn’t work out, Smith has a pretty solid Plan B. He’s a double major in counter terrorism and international relations, and made the school’s dean’s list last fall.
“I surprised my dad with that,” Smith said.
Martin hopes Smith will progress in the offseason, which is now perilously close at hand. Florida State (42-22) faces Texas Tech (45-19) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in an elimination game. The Red Raiders rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat Arkansas Tuesday.
Florida State will start sophomore pitcher Conor Grady (9-5, 3.64 ERA). Grady is coming off his longest, and best, outing of the year, allowing one run in seven innings in an NCAA regional win at Georgia.
Even if Grady is great again, it won’t matter unless Florida State’s bats heat up. The Seminoles are 8-for-61 (.131) in Omaha, scoring one run in two games. 5-4 on