JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK PATIENCE AND PRAYER PAYS OFF FOR PITCHER SMITH FINDS HIS PLACE ON THE MOUND.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - After undergoing surgery on his pitching elbow in early April, Justin Smith wasn't expected to be able to pitch at the advanced Single-A level this season.

But Smith, a left-hander from Elk City, Okla., who worked with the JetHawks in spring training, is ahead of schedule.

``I'd hoped to be able to pitch (in Lancaster) this season, but it's a surprise,'' Smith said. ``I'm excited.''

The former University of Alabama star, selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th round of the June 1999 draft, was scheduled to make his first start for Lancaster on Wednesday night in a home game against the Bakersfield Blaze. The JetHawks are looking to extend their home winning streak to 23 games.

It is uncertain how long Smith will be in Lancaster, but he said his objective is to ``just stay on track, keep getting healthy, and hopefully help the team.

``This is a blessing just to be able to pitch in front of fans again.''

Smith underwent surgery to repair nerve damage in the area around his funny bone.

The injury, which had been bothering him for years, was caused by extended wear and tear on the elbow, and he knew he would have to eventually confront the surgical procedure. But that did little to alleviate his fears.

``I was a little bit scared,'' he said. ``Any time you have something like that done that's messing with your livelihood, doubts tend to creep in there a little bit, but you have to fight them off.

``It's been a humbling experience. The hardest thing about it is just staying positive.''

Smith, 23, said his wife, Shelby, and their two-year-old daughter, Macy, spent two months with him when he was rehabbing his elbow at the Mariners' extended spring-training facility in Peoria, Ariz., helping to lift his spirits during a tough time.

But Smith said that getting through the process of recovery and rehabilitation has helped him grow as a person.

``A lot of patience is involved, and a lot prayers are involved,'' he said. ``It was a trial, but it turned out to be a blessing. I learned a lot from it.''

``He has a really good work ethic, and he seems to be a serious, focused kid,'' JetHawks pitching coach Scott Budner said.

According to Budner, Smith throws a good fastball and curveball, but needs to work on his change-up. As a left-hander whose ability to throw off-speed pitches was his specialty, Budner expects to be able to help him.

And just to make him feel like he belonged, Smith got some ribbing in the clubhouse from pitcher Caleb Balbuena, who played on the Long Beach State team that kept Alabama out of the College World Series in his first collegiate season. Terrmel Sledge was Balbuena's teammate on with the 49ers as well.

--Newfound power: Sledge, the hottest hitter in the California League, extended the JetHawks' unprecedented home-winning streak to 22 games Tuesday with a walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the 10th in a 4-3 win over the Bakersfield Blaze.

Sledge was 2 for 3 and improved his batting average to .339, overtaking Gary Johnson of Lake Elsinore for the league batting lead.

Sledge, the former Kennedy High of Granada Hills player who also played for Cal State Northridge, was the California League batter of the week for July 31-Aug. 6, when he went 13 for 26 with four homers.

``I don't know where it's coming from,'' said Sledge, who is not known as one of the league's power hitters.

``I'm not trying to hit home runs, it's just happening,'' he said. ``I've got a little juice in me,'' he said. ``I don't have (Juan) Silvestre's power, but I've got a little bit.''

Silvestre, his teammate, is tied for the league lead with 26 homers.

--Best tools: Baseball America tabbed several current and recent JetHawks as up-and-coming stars who possess the ``Best Tools'' in minor- league baseball.

The rankings were based on a survey of managers, coaches and scouts.

Second baseman Willie Bloomquist - recently promoted to Triple-A Tacoma - and third baseman Bo Robinson were named the best defensive players at their respective positions in the California League, and Brandon Parker was selected as the top relief pitcher. Manager Mark Parent was named the top managerial prospect in the league.

On the Double-A Eastern League list, former JetHawk Greg Wooten was named the pitcher with the best control, and Jermaine Clark was selected as the best defensive second baseman. Shortstop Ramon Vazquez, also a former JetHawk, was named the top defensive shortstop and was also selected as having the best infield arm.

--Pineiro a winner: Former JetHawks pitcher Joel Pineiro shined in his major-league debut with the Mariners on Tuesday and was credited with the win as he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings to help lead Seattle to a 12-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox, who have the American League's best record. Despite his strong showing, he was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma after the game.

Pineiro pitched for the JetHawks at the end of the 1998 season and was 2-0 with a 7.80 ERA in nine appearances.

--Futuristic look: The JetHawks and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who are part of the San Diego Padres' minor-league system, will wear the futuristic uniforms of their respective major-league teams when they meet at Lancaster Municipal Stadium on Friday night.

--Scouts' night: Following Saturday night's game between the JetHawks and the Quakes, local boy scout troops will camp out on the field.

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(color in SAC edition only) Wilfredo Quintana has been a consistent player for the JetHawks, who have been one of minor-league baseball's surprising teams this season.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News