7/05/2007 – All Things Valley League
Last night, the Valley League’s own Brett Smith (Harrisonburg 03) threw a rain-shortened no-hitter for the Trenton Thunder, the New York Yankees’ double-A affiliate. Smith struggled through much of the game, as he issued 7 walks, fighting the rain, the wet field, and wet baseballs, but a no-hitter is still a no-hitter. Smith said, "It is what it is. This isn’t the way you’d think it would happen, but I’m just happy to get one in the first place. It was also great that I had my parents in town. My dad comes to a few games here and there, but my mom sees me pitch about only once a year and I haven’t seen her since February, so I’m glad it worked out." Smith is now 7-4, 2.61, with a 1.09 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9, and 7.7 K/9 after 86 1/3 innings. Maybe, just maybe, with the major league Yankees struggling so much this year, Smith will get a shot…. As a side note, former VBLer Brett Gardner (New Market 03-04) also played in the game for Trenton, going 2-3, with 1 run and 1 RBI.