Competing for a state championship is a rare opportunity for many high school baseball players.

Winning a national championship in college baseball is even more rare. 

But last month, not one, but two local athletes made it to college baseball’s grandest stage – the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. 

Former East Robertson High School standout Peyton Smith, a junior at Texas A&M University, and Luke Payne, an All-State performer at Goodpasture Christian School who just completed his freshman campaign for the University of Tennessee baseball team, were part of the final two teams in the College World Series. 

This was not the first time Peyton and Luke had been part of champion-caliber teams. In 2021, Peyton took the mound for East Robertson in the TSSAA Class A state championship, hurling a complete game and leading the Indians to the school’s first-ever baseball state title. During the 2022 season, Luke’s dominance on the mound – he had a perfect 0.00 Earned Run Average – would help lead Goodpasture Christian to its first state title since 2012. 

Peyton joined Texas A&M this year after transferring to the Aggies from Dallas Baptist University at the end of the 2023 baseball season. His freshman year on the mound, spent at Northwest Florida State College, ended in a torn UCL requiring Tommy John surgery. 

“Recovering from the surgery was hard,” Peyton admits. “But my teammates and coaches helped me remember that I would come back a better pitcher.” 

Luke battled injuries during his debut season with the Vols, but even amid adversity played a crucial role in supporting his teammates. He was limited to four pitching appearances, recording 9 strikeouts in 3.2 innings. His season came to a definitive end in May, when he tore a lat muscle in his shoulder before a game against rival Vanderbilt. 

“The time between injuries allowed me to prepare for what’s ahead,” explains Luke. “My family and my relationship with the Lord have been really helpful in my recovery. I’m working hard to have a fully healthy sophomore season.”

With their respective teams competing against one another in the College World Series championship, Texas A&M would take a quick series lead with a 9-5 game 1 victory. The Volunteers would rebound in game 2, gutting out a 4-1 win. 

Game 3 was all Vols until the 9th inning, when the Aggies made it interesting with a near comeback. In the end, however, the Volunteers hung on for a 6-5 win that secured UT’s first College World Series title. 

“Going into game 1, I had no doubts that we were going to win it in two games,” says Luke. “But they (Texas A&M) came out swinging and took the win. Talking to the guys after that, we were locked in and I had a feeling we were going to win the National Championship. There was a weight lifted off my chest when we had a good second game.” 

“In game 3, with the cushion going into the ninth and then the near-comeback, we were just ready for that last strikeout. When we won, it was incredible. Seeing all the guys at their highest moment after all the hard work was so special.” 

Peyton says there was a definite feeling of energy after Texas A&M took game 1 from the Vols.

“We experienced the whole wheel of emotions, but we knew we had to get back out there and play hard,” he shares. “After the loss in game 2 and the final loss in game 3, it was hard. You know it's the last game for a lot of the guys, and that’s not easy. But being a part of one of the greatest seasons in Aggie history was special.” 

Both teams had historic seasons, and both young men emphasize how fortunate they were to be a part of the experience. Comparing the state championships to the College World Series, Peyton and Luke agreed that while winning state is a once-in-a-lifetime thrill, there’s nothing like the theater of 20,000+ fans packing Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

And both players are committed to returning to their respective campuses in hopes of making a repeat College World Series appearance. Here’s hoping that happens.