Thursday, Senior Charlestown Pirate Slugger Austin Smith signed his letter of intent to play NCAA Division III baseball while attending Earlham College next school year.  Austin’s parents, Tim and Allison Smith, along with Pirate Head Coach Ricky Romans, gathered for the occasion and adjacent photograph.  Austin plans to major in environmental sciences and pre-engineering while attending Earlham College, which is located in Richmond, Indiana (just East of Indianapolis).  “This is a big opportunity to not only pursue my career interests, but also play baseball at the next level under coaches who push you to do your best”, commented Austin.  “Their (Earlham Baseball) facilities are new and state of the art; which also makes it exciting”, Austin added with a smile.  The Quakers play in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference with familiar colleges such as Hanover, Rose-Hulman, Anderson, and Franklin.  “I’m very happy for Austin and his family.  With Austin’s frame, he has a lot of upside and potential.  He is a very hard worker and I’m sure he will be a great asset to Coach Sakosits and Earlham Baseball”, commented Coach Ricky Romans.  Follow Pirate Baseball, including Austin’s Senior year at www.PiratePride.BLUE/Baseball.