Cole Smith brought all-fields pop and run-production punch to NIU’s title run
In the 2026 season, Northern Illinois infielder Cole Smith was one of the Huskies’ most reliable bats, starting all 49 games and leading the team with a .357 average, 19 doubles, a .583 slugging percentage and a 1.020 OPS while helping power NIU to a program-record 36 wins and its first MAC title. He also hit .412 in the conference tournament and earned All-MAC and Academic All-American honors, a strong sign of both performance and poise. If you want a disciplined, extra-base hitter with proven big-game production, Smith absolutely fits the bill.
