By Matt Browning

Russ Smith of Central Burden was an all-state baseball player last year, but because of an injury he occurred in football, he will not be able to play this season.

Smith suffered a separation to his AC joint in his shoulder and later found out he tore his labrum. He is now in the post-surgery process and trying to get his movement back.

Last season, he posted a 0.46 ERA, with a 122 strikeouts in 43.2 innings.

“I have been doing everything I can (maybe more than I should) to try and get my range of motion back from the surgery,” Smith said. “I started physical therapy three days post-surgery and the pain was really bad but it has gotten much better since. My arm is moving well with the exercises I can do.”

Losing out on his baseball season is a tough pill for Smith to swallow, but he believes in the bigger plan for him.

“I can’t say I don’t miss baseball but I’m really trying to learn the game from another perspective and see this as an opportunity God is presenting me with,” Smith said. “I will do my best to better my teammates that I grew up with and help the team any way that I can.”