BOURNE, Mass. — Chris and Heather Smith have a tradition as a host family.
That tradition is buying and cooking a tomahawk steak from Gray Gables Market in Bourne for the player they're hosting for the summer if they hit a home run — Ryker Waite (Vanderbilt) will be receiving his second one after a two-run shot on Wednesday against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks.
"Man, that's the best thing I've ever eaten," Waite said postgame with a big smile. "Getting another one is going to be good."
As Waite returned to the dugout to celebrate with his teammates after the dinger, he was pelted with a dog toy that was a tomahawk steak to tease the upcoming meal. While the tradition calls for just a home run to be rewarded with the steak, Waite did more than just send a 406-foot shot over the left center field fence in the 7-6 win over Hyannis to earn himself a delicious piece of beef.
He went 2-for-3 with his other hit being a triple, as well as three runs, a pair of RBIs, a walk, a stolen base and got hit by a pitch.
"I was just seeing the ball really well. At the end of the day, I was just trying to help my team win," Waite said. "The guys before me did a great job getting on base, seeing pitches."
Waite has been with Bourne since the beginning the summer. The shortstop spot wasn't his at first, as Justin Lebron (Alabama) got the nod for the first two games. Then Lebron departed for the summer, giving Waite an opportunity to take the job and he ran with it.
That same concept is something that Waite will be hoping to do when he returns to Vanderbilt. The 2025 starter for Commodores was Jonathan Vastine, but he's exhausted his eligibility and has since been selected in the 2025 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres at pick No. 580 in Round 19.
Waite has been in the lineup for 21 of the 25 games for the Braves, and he's showcased what he's capable of and the caliber of player that can earn himself a job for Vanderbilt.
"My whole game I feel like has just gotten a whole lot better — taken it up a notch," Waite said. "At the end of day, I'm here to get better at my game and just go back to school and help my team win."
Taken it up a notch is an understatement. After appearing in eight games with just three opportunities at the plate during his freshman campaign for the Commodores, Waite has balled out on the Cape.
He's batting .296 with 21 hits, 19 runs, 11 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, nine walks, two home runs and a pair of triples, giving field manager Scott Landers a consistent presence regardless of where he puts Waite in the lineup.
"It's been a blessing to be up here," Waite said. "I'm thankful for the Vanderbilt coaching staff for finding a spot for me up here, and I'm thankful for coach Landers for finding me a spot and really getting me comfortable going into my sophomore year."
Waite capitalized on his opportunity early, and now he's grabbed it by the horns. Whether it's been flashing the leather at shortstop or wreaking havoc on the plate and the base paths, he's been a key contributor for Bourne throughout the entirety of the season.
It's not just the Braves taking notice. Waite was selected to participate in the 2025 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game on Saturday at Red Wilson Field, which is something he set his sights on when arriving on the Cape.
"It means a whole lot," Waite said. "Coming here I wanted to be an All-Star and I did it. It's just a blessing. It's all God."
