2026 Sports in Kansas ⚾️ Top 9 All-Classes, Player of the Year by class, Coach of the Year by class. #sportsinkansas

2026 Sports in Kansas 3A Baseball Pitcher of the Year Kam Smith, Girard, Jr. For the second consecutive season, Girard junior Kam Smith has been selected as the Sports in Kansas Class 3A Pitcher of the Year after one of the most dominant pitching performances in the state and a historic championship run for the Trojans. The Arkansas commit was nearly untouchable throughout the spring, posting an incredible 0.33 ERA over 64.1 innings while compiling an 8-1 record. Smith allowed just three earned runs all season, struck out 111 batters and limited opponents to a microscopic .105 batting average. His 0.528 WHIP further illustrated just how difficult it was for opposing hitters to generate any offense against him. When the season reached its biggest stage, Smith delivered his best performances. He earned a rare two victories at the Class 3A State Tournament, helping Girard capture the first baseball state championship in school history. Under first-year head coach Bob Fornelli, the Trojans completed a memorable title run with Smith leading the way as the unquestioned ace. A low-90s right-hander with elite command and power stuff, Smith has established himself as one of the premier pitching prospects in the country. His 2026 season earned him a third consecutive Sports in Kansas All-State selection and a repeat honor as the Class 3A Pitcher of the Year. And he has a full season left. Baseball success runs deep in the Smith family. His father, Dan Smith Jr., was the 1993 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year at Girard (7th round pick in 1993 out of HS) before pitching multiple seasons in Major League Baseball. Kam has continued that tradition while building an impressive legacy of his own at Girard. Still only a junior, Smith enters next season as one of the top returning players in Kansas regardless of classification. He will also be a major contender for the Sports in Kansas All-Classes Pitcher of the Year award, which will be announced alongside the All-Classes Top 9 Team following the release of all classification award winners. After leading Girard to its first state championship and putting together one of the most dominant statistical seasons in Kansas baseball, Smith is the clear choice as the 2026 Sports in Kansas Class 3A Pitcher of the Year. #sportsinkansas

2026 Sports in Kansas 3A All-State ⚾️ #sportsinkansas

History made in Girard. The Trojans captured the first state baseball championship in program history Friday with a dominant 8-0 victory over Silver Lake in the 3A state title game at Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan. Junior Arkansas commit Kam Smith once again showed why he is regarded as one of the top pitchers in Kansas and one of the premier prospects in the country. Last season’s Sports in Kansas 3A Pitcher of the Year tossed a complete-game shutout with 10 strikeouts, allowing just three hits over seven innings in the championship game. Smith finished the season with a remarkable 8-1 record and a 0.326 ERA over 64.1 innings. He struck out 112 batters while allowing just 23 hits and three earned runs all season long. Opponents hit only .105 against him as he helped lead Girard to a 24-5 season and a state championship. Girard wasted no time taking control with a five-run first inning. Aiden Ashbacher and Robbie Bruning each delivered RBI singles before Ben Cullen broke the game open with a three-run triple. Cullen finished with three RBI while both he and Jaxton Smith collected two hits. Sophomore Bryor Schultz also put together a tremendous season for the Trojans, hitting .455 with 45 hits and 14 doubles on the year. Girard was aggressive throughout the championship game as Ashbacher, Bruning, Jaxton Smith and Briggs Buckingham each stole multiple bases in a 10-steal performance. Even more impressive, Girard made this championship run with just one senior starter in the lineup. What a first season for legendary head coach Bob Fornelli. The longtime collegiate coaching icon previously led both Fort Hays State and Emporia State to NCAA Division II World Series runner-up finishes before retiring from Pittsburg State last year. Now, in year one at Girard, he adds a Kansas high school state championship to his remarkable career. A historic moment for Girard baseball. #sportsinkansas – at Manhattan, KS