TSU’s top pitcher and shortstop gets call from Major Leagues

By KEVIN PEARCEY

Sports Editor

Two Troy State University baseball players were drafted on Wednesday, the second day of Major League Baseball’s 2001 draft.

Both senior second baseman Casey Smith and senior pitcher Jason Bernard will be heading to the majors. Both players were junior college transfers to Troy State. The Trojans finished the 2001 season with a 27-28 record.

Bernard, (6-5, 220), a right handed pitcher from Panama City, Fla., was taken in the 27th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, the 710th player taken overall.

Bernard finished the year as the Trojans’ top hurler in 2001. As a junior, he concluded the 2000 season with a 6.08 ERA and a 6-6 record after facing 300 batters in 16 appearances. Bernard started 13 games and pitched a team high three complete games. He played at Gulf Coast Community College for two years prior to coming to Troy State. While at junior college he was selected twice by the Chicago White Sox organization, in the 19th and 37th round respectively.

Smith, (6-2, 200), an infielder Cottonwood, was selected by the Anaheim Angels in the 34th round, the 1,019th pick overall.

Smith co-captained the Trojans this season along with teammate Aaron Kirkland. Smith was a 2001 Preseason All-Trans American Athletic Conference pick as a shortstop. As a junior, Smith led the team in batting average (.404), runs scored (48), total bases (125), and hits (88). He was second in homeruns (8), RBIs (50), and slugging percentage (.573).

Smith played junior college baseball at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in 1998-1999. He earned first-team all-conference both years and second-team all-American for his performance as a sophomore.