Kansas Freshman Smith Named MVP of Tournament

Aug. 16, 2011

FARMINGTON, N.M. – Kansas freshman outfielder Dakota Smith was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2011 Connie Mack World Series this past weekend as his Midland Redskins won their third title at Rickets Field in Farmington, N.M.

Smith, a 5-foot-11 freshman from Leavenworth, Kan., collected a tournament-high 15 total bases, which included a pair of homers and eight RBIs. He also received the tournament’s Comcast “Big Stick” Award.

“I thought I had a pretty good tournament, but I didn’t know it was this good,” said Smith.

Smith split his high school career between Leavenworth High School and Lansing High School. He was a four-time All-Sunflower League selection and was named All-Metro by the Kansas City Star in 2010 and first team all-state a year ago. He will be one of 13 true freshmen on the Jayhawks’ roster this season.

Smith and the rest of the Jayhawk baseball team will report to campus later this week and begin fall practices in September.