Drew Smith honored as NJCAA DII Baseball Player of the Year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Drew Smith (Elkhorn, Neb.) will go down as one of the top baseball players in the history of the Northeast Community College baseball team.

Smith was honored on Wednesday as the 2019 Spalding NJCAA DII Baseball Player of the Year.

In 2019, Smith hit .456 to go along with a .538 on-base percentage and an .897 slugging percentage. He tallied 18 home runs, 69 RBI and 166 total bases.

For his efforts, he was named a First Team All-American, ICCAC DII Baseball Player of the Year, ICCAC DII Baseball Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Region XI and NJCAA DII Baseball World Series All-Tournament Team.

He ranked in the top-5 nationally in total bases (2^nd), hits (3^rd), home runs (4^th), RBI (4^th), slugging percentage (4^th) and batting average (5^th).

"I am so happy for Drew and all of his accomplishments this year," head coach Marcus Clapp said. "He is truly deserving of this honor with all the time and hard work he puts into this game. He is a special young man both on and off the field. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to coach him, but more importantly to get to know him as a person!"

Smith will continue his academic and athletic career at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz.

For all news related to Northeast Community College athletics, visit northeasthawks.com for complete coverage. Fans can also follow the Hawks on Twitter @NortheastHawks for game-day coverage.

(Graphic courtesy of the NJCAA/McKenzie Garrison)