Billings Royals Connor Smith to play college baseball

BILLINGS — Connor Smith went into the Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers Baseball Tournament with a goal of helping the Billings Royals capture a championship.

The 6-foot, 180-pound righty helped the team get off to a good start on Thursday at Pirtz Field.

Per the team’s GameChanger stats Smith pitched the first five innings, limiting the Colorado Lightning to three hits and an unearned run in a 7-1 victory as the Royals (13-5) won their first game of the four-day tourney.

Connor Smith is pictured prior to the Billings Royals game at the Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers Baseball Tournament at Pirtz Field on Thursday.

AMY LYNN NELSON, Billings Gazette

“We’re trying to go win the Goldsmith,” Smith said of the Royals’ goals entering the tournament. “I think it’s a fun tournament just to play in front of the Billings fans. I think it’s important not only just to win, but also just show out in front of the fans and show what Billings baseball has to offer. I think winning that tournament would be a huge goal for us and a huge accomplishment for our team.”

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Smith, who graduated from Billings Skyview in the spring, is a third baseman and pitcher for the Royals. He will be playing college baseball during the 2025-26 school year at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana.

This is Smith’s second year with the Class AA Royals. He was with the Class A Billings Blue Jays for a season and the Post 4 Blue Class B team for a year.

This past spring, high school baseball was introduced in Billings and the Falcons claimed third at the state tournament.

Billings Skyview’s Connor Smith bats during a game against Columbus at Pirtz Field on May 10.

AMY LYNN NELSON, Billings Gazette

“It was really fun just kind of getting to play with the Skyview across the chest,” said Smith. “Just playing with the boys I’ve always played with throughout my career.”

Smith said he would primarily be playing second and third base for the NCAA Division III Fightin’ Engineers and “maybe pitch if the opportunity presents itself.”

“I’m really excited. It’ll be a fun opportunity. They’ve got a good program over there; a good coach, good staff.”

While at Rose-Hulman, Smith — who achieved a 4.73 overall weighted grade-point average at Skyview — said he would be pursuing a mechanical engineering degree.

Billings Royals’ pitcher Connor Smith steps up to the mound during an American Legion baseball game against the Sheridan (Wyo.) Troopers at Dehler Park on May 31.

AMY LYNN NELSON, Billings Gazette

“I’m excited for him,” said Royals coach David Swecker. “Anytime you get a chance to further your baseball career into college, you’re one of the rare kids. Not many kids get to play college baseball.”

“He’s definitely going to work hard. He’s going to do the right things. He’s a great leader for us; a great teammate for us. He’s willing to play multiple positions. He pitches for us. He plays third base for us. He plays second base for us. He’s our third-string catcher for an emergency. He’s willing to do whatever he can to help the team out. He’ll do the same thing in college.”

Photos: Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers Legion Baseball Tournament

Email Gazette Sports Editor John Letasky at john.letasky@406mtsports.com or follow him on X/Twitter at @GazSportsJohnL

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