The University of Akron Athletics
Baseball Announces Hiring of Kyle Smith as Pitching Coach
July 08 | Baseball
Follow Zips Baseball on Twitter (@ZipsBB) and Facebook
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron baseball program and head coach Rick Rembielak announced the hiring of Kyle Smith as pitching coach on Monday afternoon.
"I am very pleased to have Kyle join our staff here at Akron to develop our pitching staff. He is a local guy who has ties to the area and has a bright coaching career ahead of him," Rembielak said Monday.
"Kyle was an excellent pitcher in college, had tremendous success during his years followed up with professional baseball experience in the Indians organization. Kyle possesses high baseball intelligence and has the personality in working with the young, developing college player."
Smith joins the Akron coaching staff after serving as pitching coach for Malone University this past season, where he guided the pitching staff to a 4.73 ERA with 272 strikeouts.
He has served as pitching coach for the Stark County Terriers of the Great Lakes Summer League in 2012, and also as student assistant baseball coach at Kent State from 2011-12.
Prior to coaching, Smith played in the Cleveland Indians minor league system after being drafted in the 20th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. Smith accrued a 0-2 record with a 5.26 ERA over 49.2 innings with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers from 2009-10.
A Louisville, Ohio native, Smith was a three-year letter winner on the Kent State University baseball team, and graduated with a degree in Sports Administration in 2012. Smith registered a 17-3 career record with the Golden Flashes, while also earning First Team All-MAC and First Team All-Midwest Region awards in the 2008 season.
Smith inherits a Zips pitching staff that registered a 5.00 ERA during the 2013 campaign with 234 strikeouts and 186 walks.
