Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
The family game: Smiths cherishing double senior season
4/21/2021 6:00:00 PM | Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Once this spring sports season is over, Shawn and Dayna Smith deserve a nice, long staycation.
The Smiths have put down a lot of miles the past few years going all over the country to watch their three children play what can only be called the family sport.
Shawn's love of baseball goes way back. He was an outstanding player in his younger days, playing at Southern Miss, where he met Dayna, a cheerleader for the Golden Eagles, before serving as a scout in the Chicago Cubs organization for a few years and getting into coaching.
The apple sure didn't fall far from the tree in the Smith family, as the couple's oldest two — sons Malone and Cullen — were hooked to baseball as youngsters, and daughter Claire, the youngest, followed right along in softball.
"It's been hectic with all of them playing at the same time," Shawn said. "But, it's been a lot of fun. … They've always been fun competitive with each other, trying to outdo each other. I can remember talking with Cullen after a game after he had a good weekend, telling him what he did well and things like that, and all I can hear is a little girl about 10 years old in the back saying, 'Hey, Dad, remember what I did last weekend?'"
While Malone's playing days are now behind him — he played at Kansas City Kansas Community College and now coaches at Walters State Community College — Shawn and Dayna still have plenty to keep them busy with their younger two.
Cullen, who started his career at East Tennessee State before transferring, is a redshirt senior infielder at Arkansas, the current No. 1-ranked team in the country.
Claire is also a senior this year at Middle Tennessee. The outfielder is wrapping up a remarkable career in which she's started more than 165 games.
Having two children wrapping up their college careers at the same time can cause quite a scheduling headache, but the Smiths are well-versed in travel ball after years of going to prep tournaments and now college games. Shawn also coached Claire's team during her senior year at Wilson Central High School.
Even if they have to split up, the Smiths try to have at least one parent at every one of Cullen and Claire's games.
"I know it's been crazy on my parents having to go to so many games and switching back and forth," Claire said. "Cullen is having the time of his life at Arkansas, and I love it for him. … We're hoping we can go watch him at the College World Series this year."
Being forced to miss games this late in the season as they try to balance both teams' schedules is tough for both parents, especially with both teams playing so well.
Arkansas's current No. 1 overall ranking speaks for itself. The Razorbacks (30-6, 11-4 SEC) have been ranked in the top spot four different times this season and are a College World Series favorite. Cullen has started 27 games and is hitting .266 with five home runs and 19 RBIs.
The Blue Raiders (21-18, 7-5 C-USA) are coming around after a tough start to their campaign, beating preseason Conference USA East Division favorites Marshall and WKU in two straight series to move into second in the East standings. Claire has started 32 games and is hitting .270, and she's only struck out three times in 89 at bats.
"I think beating Marshall three out of four games really turned us around, because it gave us a little confidence," she said. "We kind of had a chip on our shoulder and kept it going. Now, I think everyone in the conference is kind of looking at us."
The Smiths are gearing up to watch an exciting finishing stretch for both teams, starting with MT.
The Blue Raiders have nine games left until the C-USA tournament, where Claire is hoping to win a title for the second time in her college career. They won it her freshman season in 2018.
"This is the closest it's felt to our team that won the conference," she said. "We have a lot of fun when we're playing and a lot of energy, and I think everyone has faith that we can go really far. … We'll just keep it going hopefully."
No matter where the end of this season takes them, expect to see at least one Smith parent in the stands cheering on the Razorbacks and Blue Raiders.
They've certainly put in the miles over the past few years, but they aren't ready to put the car in the garage just yet.
"It's just been a dream watching all three of them," Shawn said. "We aren't ready to be done just yet."
The Smiths have put down a lot of miles the past few years going all over the country to watch their three children play what can only be called the family sport.
Shawn's love of baseball goes way back. He was an outstanding player in his younger days, playing at Southern Miss, where he met Dayna, a cheerleader for the Golden Eagles, before serving as a scout in the Chicago Cubs organization for a few years and getting into coaching.
The apple sure didn't fall far from the tree in the Smith family, as the couple's oldest two — sons Malone and Cullen — were hooked to baseball as youngsters, and daughter Claire, the youngest, followed right along in softball.
"It's been hectic with all of them playing at the same time," Shawn said. "But, it's been a lot of fun. … They've always been fun competitive with each other, trying to outdo each other. I can remember talking with Cullen after a game after he had a good weekend, telling him what he did well and things like that, and all I can hear is a little girl about 10 years old in the back saying, 'Hey, Dad, remember what I did last weekend?'"
While Malone's playing days are now behind him — he played at Kansas City Kansas Community College and now coaches at Walters State Community College — Shawn and Dayna still have plenty to keep them busy with their younger two.
Cullen, who started his career at East Tennessee State before transferring, is a redshirt senior infielder at Arkansas, the current No. 1-ranked team in the country.
Claire is also a senior this year at Middle Tennessee. The outfielder is wrapping up a remarkable career in which she's started more than 165 games.
Having two children wrapping up their college careers at the same time can cause quite a scheduling headache, but the Smiths are well-versed in travel ball after years of going to prep tournaments and now college games. Shawn also coached Claire's team during her senior year at Wilson Central High School.
Even if they have to split up, the Smiths try to have at least one parent at every one of Cullen and Claire's games.
"I know it's been crazy on my parents having to go to so many games and switching back and forth," Claire said. "Cullen is having the time of his life at Arkansas, and I love it for him. … We're hoping we can go watch him at the College World Series this year."
Being forced to miss games this late in the season as they try to balance both teams' schedules is tough for both parents, especially with both teams playing so well.
Arkansas's current No. 1 overall ranking speaks for itself. The Razorbacks (30-6, 11-4 SEC) have been ranked in the top spot four different times this season and are a College World Series favorite. Cullen has started 27 games and is hitting .266 with five home runs and 19 RBIs.
The Blue Raiders (21-18, 7-5 C-USA) are coming around after a tough start to their campaign, beating preseason Conference USA East Division favorites Marshall and WKU in two straight series to move into second in the East standings. Claire has started 32 games and is hitting .270, and she's only struck out three times in 89 at bats.
"I think beating Marshall three out of four games really turned us around, because it gave us a little confidence," she said. "We kind of had a chip on our shoulder and kept it going. Now, I think everyone in the conference is kind of looking at us."
The Smiths are gearing up to watch an exciting finishing stretch for both teams, starting with MT.
The Blue Raiders have nine games left until the C-USA tournament, where Claire is hoping to win a title for the second time in her college career. They won it her freshman season in 2018.
"This is the closest it's felt to our team that won the conference," she said. "We have a lot of fun when we're playing and a lot of energy, and I think everyone has faith that we can go really far. … We'll just keep it going hopefully."
No matter where the end of this season takes them, expect to see at least one Smith parent in the stands cheering on the Razorbacks and Blue Raiders.
They've certainly put in the miles over the past few years, but they aren't ready to put the car in the garage just yet.
"It's just been a dream watching all three of them," Shawn said. "We aren't ready to be done just yet."
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