meet the staff

Young woman with long blonde hair smiling, wearing a black T-shirt with text, and a necklace with a cross pendant, against a dark blue background.

lainie smyk

founder/pitching coach

St. Bede Academy Hall of Fame Athlete

Born and raised in Peru, I was a 4 year Varsity pitcher at St. Bede, went to state in Class 2A for the first time in school history. I then went on to be a student-athlete with a full-ride scholarship at Division II Lewis University where I received a degree in Exercise and Movement Science. After my playing career, I was the Varsity Assistant softball coach at LaSalle Peru High School for three years and Putnam County JH Head Coach for 2 years. For the past seven years, I’ve been giving softball pitching lessons to athletes ages 8-17 to help improve their skills. I was also inducted into the St. Bede Academy Hall of Fame in 2025.

My love for the game and fitness has led me to opening up a facility in the Illinois Valley to help young athletes reach their goals of playing at the next level!

A baseball player in a green uniform and black helmet preparing to bat. The uniform reads "TITANS" and the number 25. The player is holding a colorful bat and is standing on a baseball field with teammates in the background.

tim smyk

founder/owner

I am a former Division III college baseball pitcher/infielder, with extensive experience and a love for the game. I played my high school career at Morris Community High School, winning a regional championship in 2014, before continuing at the next level at Illinois Wesleyan University. Playing three years at Illinois Wesleyan, before ultimately transferring and hanging up the cleats due to multiple shoulder injuries. I am excited to bring a community focused facility to the Illinois Valley where younger players can get their reps in at an affordable price. I’m ready to bring both my baseball knowledge and enthusiasm to help the younger generation reach their goals!

A young woman sitting on a railing outside a building, holding a volleyball. Sports jerseys and a helmet are hanging on the railing, and a pair of sneakers and a group of medals are on the ground. The background includes a brick building, a sign that reads 'Welcome to Saint Vincent,' and a chimney in the distance.

Lily Bosnich

Facility Assistant

Hello! My name is Lily Bosnich, and I’m the newest member of The Mound family! I am 17 years old and a senior at Saint Bede Academy in Peru. At Saint Bede, I participate in volleyball, softball, and track. I’ve been playing softball since I was seven years old and currently play for the Starved Rock Bandits. My other hobbies include taking sports pictures, hanging out with my friends and family, going on walks, and babysitting. My favorite color is pink and a fun fact about me is that I have 12 state metals.