May 31, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
After enjoying one of the most successful seasons in Illinois State softball history, freshman designated player Amber Smith has been named to the Louisville Slugger/ NFCA Division I All-America Third Team as announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Wednesday. She is the first Redbird softball player to achieve all-America status as a rookie, and was one of just six freshmen honored on the three teams.
The Fairfield, Calif., native had an unprecedented season for a Missouri Valley Conference freshman in 2006, falling just one home run short of tying the MVC/ISU single-season standard (18), and one short of the Redbird single season RBI record of 51. Additionally, Smith, who started all 54 games this season, is the only player in ISU softball history to amass at least 40 hits, 40 runs and 40 RBI in a season. The six-footer, who led the `Birds in nearly every power category, also led the league in RBI, home runs and bases on balls. All season, Smith ranked among the nation's elite in home runs per game and RBI per game.
"This is really exciting for Amber. We've never had a freshman do this well in their first year," Redbird head coach Melinda Fischer said. "She had an amazing year, and she just continued to improve throughout the season. There were some times when she got a bit out of sync, but she was able to maintain her consistency and have good at bats. Amber really has a great mentality (for her role as designated player). It's a challenge to her, and she likes the challenge. She's determined and she works hard at preparing for hitting both mentally and physically."
Smith's list of accolades during her first season at Illinois State is already longer than that of most student-athletes who come through the Redbird athletics program. In 2006, she was named to the NFCA Great Lakes Region First Team and the All-Valley First Team, while also being recognized as the conference's Newcomer of the Year. Smith establish five new freshman standards and her 2006 numbers also put her in the top five on the following ISU single season charts - slugging percentage, walks and runs scored. In fact, Smith will enter the 2007 campaign needing just eight more home runs in order to tie the ISU career mark for round-trippers.
"This is a great honor, and it's really a tribute to this team and my teammates," Smith said. "We put a lot of time and effort into practice. We worked really hard this season, and I'm going to continue to work even harder."
For the second straight season, Illinois State recruit and Parkland College sophomore Holly Walden was heralded as a Louisville Slugger/NFCA NJCAA Division II All-American. The Warrensburg, Ill., native is the only pitcher among Fischer's five recruits for the 2007 season.
