IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers A COUNTRY MILE—When Grace Brethren junior first baseman Nick Schmidt makes contact, the ball often travels a long way. Schmidt has three home runs and 28 RBI in his team's first 19 games. At the plate, Grace Brethren junior first baseman Nick Schmidt hits like Adam Dunn—minus the strikeouts.

Like the Washington Nationals outfielder, Schmidt is powerful enough to launch a baseball over the fence on any swing.

Through the Lancers' first 19 games, the 6-foot-3 Schmidt was batting .467 with three home runs and 28 RBI. In 67 plate appearances, he's only struck out five times.

It's not like Schmidt's hot hitting should come as a surprise.

In his first two seasons at GBHS, Schmidt batted at a .364 clip. Although most players would be satisfied with those results, Schmidt realized he could be even better.

"The last two years I didn't see the big picture," Schmidt said. "I didn't have my heart into baseball as much as I do now.

"Last summer I attended a showcase baseball camp in Sonoma. I realized at the camp that the level I needed to be at was a lot higher than where I was."

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers HEATER—In addition to hitting, Nick Schmidt also serves as one of the Lancers' top pitchers. Head coach Chuck Brown said Schmidt's big numbers haven't come solely because of his discipline at the plate; they're also due to his dedication in the batting cage.

"He worked very diligently in the offseason," Brown said. "He gets extra hitting lessons on Mondays, and he's always staying late after practice. He puts in that extra work you need to be successful."

Schmidt said when he stays late after practice, it's always to work on hitting.

"My stance is more centered this season," Schmidt said. "Last year, I was putting more weight on my back foot. Due to the change, I'm still hitting for power, but I'm also hitting more line drives."

During Monday's practice, Schmidt sprayed balls all over the field and launched about a half dozen home runs.

The blast his teammates were most in awe of, however, was his towering shot that easily cleared the right-field fence at GBHS.

When asked by several teammates how he hit the ball so far, Schmidt shrugged and said, "Just stepped into it, I guess."

Schmidt was in the same kind of hitting zone last week during home games against Artesia and La Salle. In both contests, Schmidt clubbed three doubles.

"Yeah, those were two great games," Schmidt said. "During the second game the shortstop came up to me and said, 'Hey, you're just full of doubles today.'

"Then I came back into the dugout where (teammate) Matt Riley told me that I had six doubles in my last six at-bats."

Schmidt said he doesn't always try to hit doubles or home runs.

"My approach at the plate depends on the situation," Schmidt said. "For example, if there's a guy on second, then I'm going to try and go the other way and hit the ball to right field.

"Last year I was chasing pitches in order to do something at the plate that would make me better. Now I realize that I need to play for the team rather than myself. And it's weird because by playing for the team, I realize I am actually helping myself more."

Besides being a solid hitter, Schmidt also pitches.

The right-handed hurler hasn't experienced the same kind of success he's had at the plate, but he's working to get better with Brown's guidance.

"Coach Brown has definitely helped with my pitching," Schmidt said. "As soon as I do something wrong, he lets me know about it, but he doesn't chew me out. He teaches me a lot about my mechanics and helps me understand what I'm doing wrong so I can improve."

Brown said Schmidt needs to do a better job of keeping the ball down in the strike zone.

"A lot of what he needs to improve on is mental," Brown said. "When he loses focus he starts to throw the ball high and make mistakes. When he keeps the ball down, people can't hit him. He's developed a good changeup and curveball to go with his fastball."

Schmidt has shown potential on the mound.

Against St. Monica, he gave up two runs in seven innings while striking out 10 to earn a complete-game victory. Schmidt has a 3.96 ERA to date.

Although Schmidt still has the remainder of his junior and senior years in front of him, he's already thinking about college.

"I would really like to play baseball in college," Schmidt said. "It doesn't necessarily have to be a big college, because I'm not a fan of packed classrooms, but now I'm hearing I may have a chance at playing at a Division I school. That would be the ultimate dream."

Brown said that the sky's the limit for his young power hitter.

"I was just reading in the paper today about Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp and how he has so much promise," Brown said.

"Schmidt is just like Kemp. He has all the tools, he just has to go out and use them."

Lancers in title hunt

Grace Brethren has started fast in the Frontier League, leading the pack with a 3-0 league mark and an 11-8 overall record.

Second-place Santa Paula is 13-5 overall and 2-0 in the Frontier.

The Lancers, who are coming off a 15-2 victory against Villanova Prep on Wednesday, play at Fillmore next Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.