University of Minnesota Athletics
Around the Bases with Riley Smith
3/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 15, 2016 
By Maddy Olson
Athletic Communications Intern
Riley Smith has made an early impact on the team in his first season in Minneapolis. In his first seven games, Smith has a .429 batting average, with three doubles and an RBI. The first-year player from Broken Arrow, Okla. has even started four games in the lineup for the Gophers. Gopher Sports recently sat down with him.
Gopher Sports: Do you have any special talents outside of baseball?
Riley Smith: I can trip over anything at any time, especially power and aux cords.
GS: What is the best thing about being a collegiate baseball player?
RS: You get to play the game you love with 31 other guys who love it just as much as you do.
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
RS: I chose the U because it fit everything I wanted in a school. The Carlson School of Business is one of the best schools for me to receive my degree, and the baseball program has such a rich history. The coaches are here to help me succeed not only in baseball, but as well as life after college.
GS: What MLB hitter/pitcher would you most like to face?
RS: I would like the opportunity to face Dallas Keuchel because he went to my high school and has proven himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league even though he does not have the most overpowering pitches.
GS: Who is your favorite superhero?
RS: My favorite superhero would have to be Captain America because he was a small, weak guy before he became a superhero. And, of course, because he protects our great country (in comics).
GS: What MLB ballpark would you love to play a game in?
RS: Fenway Park, because I am a huge Red Sox fan and I think it would be so cool to play a game in such a historic park with the green monster out in Left Field.
GS: Who's the biggest prankster on the team?
RS: Ty McDevitt. He is always chirping guys and is a very good liar.
Athletic Communications Intern
Riley Smith has made an early impact on the team in his first season in Minneapolis. In his first seven games, Smith has a .429 batting average, with three doubles and an RBI. The first-year player from Broken Arrow, Okla. has even started four games in the lineup for the Gophers. Gopher Sports recently sat down with him.
Gopher Sports: Do you have any special talents outside of baseball?
Riley Smith: I can trip over anything at any time, especially power and aux cords.
GS: What is the best thing about being a collegiate baseball player?
RS: You get to play the game you love with 31 other guys who love it just as much as you do.
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
RS: I chose the U because it fit everything I wanted in a school. The Carlson School of Business is one of the best schools for me to receive my degree, and the baseball program has such a rich history. The coaches are here to help me succeed not only in baseball, but as well as life after college.
GS: What MLB hitter/pitcher would you most like to face?
RS: I would like the opportunity to face Dallas Keuchel because he went to my high school and has proven himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league even though he does not have the most overpowering pitches.
GS: Who is your favorite superhero?
RS: My favorite superhero would have to be Captain America because he was a small, weak guy before he became a superhero. And, of course, because he protects our great country (in comics).
GS: What MLB ballpark would you love to play a game in?
RS: Fenway Park, because I am a huge Red Sox fan and I think it would be so cool to play a game in such a historic park with the green monster out in Left Field.
GS: Who's the biggest prankster on the team?
RS: Ty McDevitt. He is always chirping guys and is a very good liar.
Players Mentioned
RHP
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INF/OF
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