Coeburn, Virginia – Tracy Stallard Field, April 14th — Before the opening of the Eastside vs. Twin Springs baseball game, Eastside graduate and Spartan baseball star pitcher Austin Smallwood was recognized for his many achievements on the field.

As a freshman, Austin was named to the All-Cumberland District second team. As a sophomore he was selected to the All-District first team and All-Region D second team. In his junior year Austin was an All-Cumberland Conference, All-Region D, and All-State first team selection. He was also voted as the Cumberland Pitcher of the Year. He repeated all of the previous season’s honors as a Spartan senior as well as being selected Region D and VHSL Player of the Year.

Smallwood left Eastside as the all-time strikeout leader with a staggering 372 in his career. He surpassed the 100 strikeout mark in both his junior and senior seasons. He joins Matt Green as the only Eastside pitchers to pass that mark.  He ranks fifth all-time in the VHSL for career strikeouts with 372. He also ranks third all-time in career wins with 29 to his credit, and ranks fifth for wins in a single season with 11.

At the plate Austin totaled 103 career base hits, one of a very few to do so at Eastside.  He will be inducted into the Eastside Hall of Fame at the next induction ceremony.