PROVDIENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Los Angeles Dodgers 2025 World Series hero honed his clutch swing during a stint in the Ocean State.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, who hit the extra innings Game 7-clinching homerun against the Toronto Blue Jays, played college ball for the Newport Gulls in 2014.

The Gulls won the league championship that season in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Smith was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft.

“He worked extremely hard at getting better as a catcher and on his hitting skills,” said Chuck Paiva, President and General Manager of the Newport Gulls about Smith.

“He was a great teammate and had success in the playoffs for the Gulls in 2014 batting .429. As the summer progressed, Will played the game the right way

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