April 10, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
After a week in which she compiled an astounding 1.308 slugging percentage and eight RBI, Illinois State's Amber Smith has been named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday. Smith is the second Redbird to earn the distinction this season. Stacy Birk was named MVC Pitcher & Player of the Week on March 6.
The freshman from Fairfield, Calif., helped the Redbirds to a 4-1 record last week, including the 2-1 series win over Drake, as they moved into second place in the league standings with a 10-4 mark. Smith currently leads the Valley with 40 RBI and 32 runs, while tying for the top spot in home runs (13).
Smith's three home runs last week increased her season total to 13, tying the second best single season effort by a Redbird. Her 13 round-trippers are No. 10 among all Division I softball players this season, and No. 2 among Division I freshmen.
Redbird head coach Melinda Fischer, who has been the head softball coach at Illinois State since 1986, is pleased with what Smith has been able to contribute this year.
"Amber had a great week," Fischer said. "I can't remember any other freshman having as great of an impact as she has from a hitting standpoint. She's done a great job for us, and I think she takes a lot of pride in her ability to help us out offensively. She prepares really well and this is a great honor for her."
Next up for Illinois State is a 5 p.m. match-up with Western Illinois at Redbird Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Westerwinds are in their first season under head coach Holly Van Vlymen. The `Birds, who have won the last three meetings, lead the all-time series 36-22.
"We saw Western (Illinois) in the fall and they are always a good hitting team," Fischer said, "but I don't know a lot about their pitching. We just have to do what we can to contain their bats and we need to get our defense back. We did some things on Sunday (against Drake) that aren't typical of this team. We need to get those things worked out before our game (against Western Illinois)."
