June 4, 2024

Newfoundlanders Come Away With Hardware in MonDak Conference

By Ryan Sweeney

Premier Sports Academy Inc.

Two prospects from Premier Sports Academy’s inaugural program put up impressive numbers in college baseball this past season and made their mark on the MonDak Conference.

Kody Butt (St. John’s, Nfld.) and Nick Smith (Flatrock, Nfld.) both earned All-Conference and All-Region Honours for their respective teams in the MonDak NJCAA D2 conference this spring.

Butt, a recent JUCO sophomore signee to Bellevue University (NAIA) in Nebraska, had back-to-back strong seasons for the Williston State Tetons. In 2024, Butt was awarded Conference Pitcher of the Year. In 12 appearances, he was among the Canadian leaders in strikeouts, with 92 in 54 innings, averaging 15.33 strikeouts per nine innings.

He takes his pitching talents to Bellevue next season with the powerhouse Bruins. In 2025, he will get the opportunity to pitch against his father Gerald’s former school, the Mayville State Comets, where he played some 25 years ago.

Smith, who played for Lake Region State, exploded offensively this past season while wearing the Royals’ uniform. Smith, who had a shortened season due to the passing of his grandfather (Garry Smith), played in 2024 honouring his grandfather. In 29 games, Nick slashed .318/.450/1.053 and belted four homers in a one-week span. Those numbers were good enough to land him on the All-Region Team.

Smith, a catcher and outfielder, finished his JUCO sophomore season in 2024 and is looking for a four-year school in the fall.