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Junior Grace Christian Academy (GCA) shortstop Noah Smith has been named Region Player of the Year. Smith helped lead the Cougars to a region championship and bring the team a 5-1 region record. GCA head coach Ryan Riles bragged on Smith’s baseball IQ and his intangibles.

“He brings that leadership,” Riles said. “To have a guy on the team that can perform on a high level, and also you’ve got the other guys looking up to him, man, it does something for the team. He really brought that spark for us this year.”

At the plate, Smith finished the season with a .415 batting average, .529 on-base percentage and .642 slugging percentage. He recorded 22 hits, resulting in 14 singles, four doubles, four triples and 12 RBIs. He scored 15 runs and was perfect in stolen bases, making 14 steals on 14 attempts. 

In the field, Smith made 57 putouts and 17 assists on 80 total chances. He recorded a .925 fielding percentage and was a part of one triple-play.