The second edition of the Curtain Call’s this week contains two more seniors. A reminder that the remainder of these blogs will be in honor and remembrance of the seniors that will not dawn the Brick & Black next season. Without further ado, Jacob Nemeth and Tayt Smith.
Jacob Nemeth
Jacob Nemeth, from Glendora, Calif. (Glendora HS), was a four-year member of the Cougar program. In his redshirt freshman season he appeared in 17 games recording a .278 batting average while getting the bulk of his at-bats in pinch-hit situations. In his redshirt sophomore year he appeared in 13 games and drove in two RBI once again in mostly pinch-hit at-bats. Nemeth was a part of three consecutive PacWest regular season championships from 2017-19. In the classroom, he received All-Academic PacWest honors in 2018 and 2019. He is set to complete his degree in interdisciplinary studies this spring.
Coach Paul Svagdis on Nemeth: “Although I am certainly going to miss Jacob in the program next year, I am so pleased and excited about his development as a player, and the impact he had on his coaches and teammates. Jacob is a consummate ‘Team first” athlete and always put his teammates and the ‘Cougar plan’ first in his process as an athlete. Jacob was a leader both on and off the field during his four seasons with the team, and I know he will be a tremendous father, husband, and community member as he graduates and moves on into his professional and personal life.”
Tayt Smith
Tayt Smith, from Gilbert, Ariz. (Perry HS), was a four-year member of the Cougar program and used predominately as a left-handed reliever. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he appeared in two games tossing two innings while striking out one. This included a scoreless ninth inning against Cal Baptist on April 21st in what was his collegiate debut. In 2019 as a redshirt sophomore, he appeared in 10 games pitching a total of 11 innings. On March 4th, against Concordia he pitched 2.1 scoreless innings with one strikeout. Smith finished the season with eight strikeouts and a 2-0 overall record. He was also a part of the three consecutive PacWest Conference regular season season championships from 2017-19. Off the field, he received All-Academic PacWest honors in 2018 and 2019. He is completing his degree in accounting this spring.
Coach Paul Svagdis on Smith: “Tayt was one of the hardest workers and strongest leaders on our club the past four seasons. He is an “other’s first” young man that lives out his Faith in all he does on the field, in the classroom, and around our community. On a personal level as a baseball player, it was very gratifying to watch Tayt develop into a terrific bullpen arm that offered great value to our team during his career. Tayt has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates through his strong commitment to being his best as a student, athlete, and person of faith.”
The Beat @APU 