The Northeast Community College baseball team just finished its second season and has already produced a national player of the year.

Sophomore Drew Smith was named the Spalding NJCAA DII Baseball Player of the Year Wednesday. The Elkhorn native hit .456 to go along with a .538 on-base percentage and an .897 slugging percentage. He tallied 18 home runs, 69 RBI and 166 total bases.

For his efforts, he was named a First Team All-American, ICCAC DII Baseball Player of the Year, ICCAC DII Baseball Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Region XI and was a member of the NJCAA DII Baseball World Series All-Tournament Team.

He ranked in the top-5 nationally in total bases (2^nd), hits (3^rd), home runs (4^th), RBI (4^th), slugging percentage (4^th) and batting average (5^th).

“I am so happy for Drew and all of his accomplishments this year,” head coach Marcus Clapp said. “He is truly deserving of this honor with all the time and hard work he puts into this game. He is a special young man both on and off the field. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to coach him, but more importantly to get to know him as a person!”

Smith helped lead the Hawks to the NJCAA DII Baseball World Series. He will continue his academic and athletic career at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.