Preseason All-American Josh Smith Leads Talented Outfield

The 2022 season is fast approaching, and speaking of fast, let's take a look at the Georgia State outfield.

Georgia State begins the season Feb. 18, hosting Purdue Fort Wayne at 3 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Game in the opener of a four-game weekend series.

The Panthers return their entire starting outfield, led by Preseason All-American Josh Smith, the Panthers' top returning hitter after leading the team in average (.324), home runs (10), RBI (35) and stolen bases (10).

The junior from College Park, Ga., can play all three spots but saw most of his time last season in left field, alongside sophomore Kyle Riesselmann in center and sophomore Dalton Pearson in right. That trio features speed and athleticism, making outfield defense one of the Panthers' strengths.

"Kyle Riesselmann and Dalton Pearson are two premier defenders, and Josh Smith would play center field on most teams in college baseball," head coach Brad Stromdahl said.

Smith was All-Sun Belt Conference, Sun Belt All-Tournament and a two-time Sun Belt Player of the Week in 2021. He showed his big-play ability with two grand slams last season, including his ninth-inning, game-winning blast to cap a nine-run rally against Appalachian State.

Riesselmann, a third-year sophomore from Tyrone, Ga., had his biggest moment with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning for a series-clinching win against Sun Belt foe Troy.

Pearson hit .264 as a true freshman but improved to .302 in Sun Belt games, and he showed his defensive ability with five outfield assists, including three runners thrown out at home plate.

"Dalton Pearson continues to make strides," Stromdahl said. "He as all the tools to be a high-level player, and you can see the development and growth from freshman year to sophomore year.

Pushing for playing time in the outfield is highly-regarded freshman JoJo Jackson, a switch hitter with power from both sides of the plate who had an outstanding fall.

Another talented--and powerful--newcomer is junior college transfer Max Ryerson, who is likely to be the designated hitter but could also contribute in the outfield.

"Max Ryerson was a junior college All American and won the Panhandle Player of the Year at Gulf Coast State," Stromdahl said. "He is expected to hit in the middle of the order and provide a true power presence."

Also speedy option in the outfield is sophomore Jonathan Ponder.

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Players Mentioned

#44 Josh Smith: OF; 6' 3"; Freshman; R/R

#9 Dalton Pearson: OF; 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R

#11 Jonathan Ponder: OF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#3 Kyle Riesselmann: OF; 6' 3"; Sophomore; R/L

#42 JoJo Jackson: OF-LHP; 6' 4"; Freshman; S/L

#23 Max Ryerson: OF; 6' 3"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#44 Josh Smith
: 6' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: OF

#9 Dalton Pearson
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#11 Jonathan Ponder
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#3 Kyle Riesselmann
: 6' 3"; Sophomore; R/L
: OF

#42 JoJo Jackson
: 6' 4"; Freshman; S/L
: OF-LHP

#23 Max Ryerson
: 6' 3"; Junior; R/R
: OF