Coach Smith Clinches 500th Win

By Ashleigh Forrest, OHS Torch Reporter

On Thursday night, April 7, at Central Catholic High School, head coach Ron Smith led his team to his 500th victory as a baseball coach.

“It’s really just a number. What means more to me is having a team that averages 24 wins a season. Most small town teams around here are proud if they average 20 wins a season,” said head coach Ron Smith.

Coach Smith has been coaching for 22 years, averaging 23-24 wins a season. According to Smith, there was a 6 year period in the team’s history where they were averaging 30 or more wins a season.

Senior Clayton Willis was the pitcher who led the team in their 500th victory and only let up three hits against the Saints. He threw more strikes than he ever has that night.

“Clayton’s pitching was better than I have ever seen it before. It was the one thing that led us to having that victory,” said Smith.

Willis said, “I just felt really good about the game walking up to the mound that night.”

In baseball, pitching is one thing that can make or break a game and obviously it worked in the boys’ favor on Thursday night. They are headed for greatness, according to assistant coach Mark Finchum.

Come out and support your Olympia Spartans at their next home game!