FAIRBORN — Major league pitcher and WSU baseball alum Joe Smith will be the keynote speaker for the 14th annual First Pitch Banquet Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at Moraine Country Club.

Smith has enjoyed one of the more decorated collegiate and professional careers in WSU athletics history. He was a third round draft pick of the New York Mets in 2006 after posting 13 saves and a 0.98 ERA in his junior season. For his efforts, he was named 1st team Horizon League, Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, All-Mideast Region and WSU’s Don Mohr Male Athlete of the Year. He helped lead the Raiders to the 2006 Horizon League Championship and the Corvallis NCAA Regional at Oregon State.

He made his first major league appearance on April 1, 2007 with the Mets. Currently, he is fifth among active pitchers in appearances with (698), while posting a 2.97 ERA, 547 strikeouts, and having pitched 624.2 innings in his 11-year career.

He became a World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs and was a member of the Cleveland Indians team which set the American League consecutive win streak at 22.

Smith is active in a variety of charities, with his main focus on fundraising and raising awareness for Huntington’s disease and its research.

The First Pitch Banquet features a sit-down dinner, program, and a silent auction. The evening will all go to benefit current and future student-athletes of the Wright State baseball program. The cost is $70 for a general admission ticket and $1,000 for a VIP table (seats 10 guests). The VIP table includes a pre-event meet and greet cocktail hour with Smith and recognition during the program. Doors will open to the public with the silent auction beginning 6 p.m.

For more information contact Deanna Terelle at 937-775-4936 or [email protected].