LINCOLN, Neb. (BVM) — The Lincoln Saltdogs are trying to make a late postseason push, tied with the Cleburne Railroaders for second place in the American Association South Division. Behind the late-season push has been Saltdogs icon Curt Smith.

Smith was drafted in 2008 by the St.Louis Cardinals in the 39th round out of the University of Maine, playing four seasons of affiliate ball before signing with his hometown Saltdogs in 2011. 

He broke the franchise record in home runs previously held by Bryan Warner with his 91st career home run against the Kansas City Monarchs on July 4. Smith also has played in the World Baseball Classic, winning MVP in 2011 for the Dutch national team. 

“That was an incredible moment for me and my teammates followed my chase throughout the season,” Smith said. “Right now, the priority is focusing on winning as many games as possible and making the postseason.”

Smith and the Saltdogs have been hot on the Cleburne Railroaders and the Sioux City Explorers for the last month. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games, with the Explorers and Railroaders losing six straight games helping the Saltdogs get back to the postseason hunt. The top three teams in the division make the playoffs. The Kansas City Monarchs have a stranglehold on first place with a 10 ½ game lead.

Smith has raised his season average to .295, hitting .367 in his last seven games. He is tied for third on the team in RBIs with 40 and has continued to keep his strikeout percentage low, only striking out 37 times in 234 plate appearances.

“This team has a lot of great hitters,” Smith said. “I’m just trying to do my job and pass the baton to the next guy.”

Smith also owns and operates a company called Dream Glove Company, which offers fielding gloves, batting gloves, and will look to expand in apparel in the near future. He started this company to make baseball gloves affordable for everyone after shopping for gloves and finding the prices to be “ridiculously high,” according to Smith. He knew he could provide great quality at a reasonable price from playing baseball and being around the game for as long as he has.

The Saltdogs will look to continue their hot streak throughout the last month of the season in hopes to secure a playoff spot since 2017. They will need key players like Smith to continue putting up big numbers as the season continues to wind down.