Jan. 23, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
The 2007 Illinois State softball season hasn't even started but sophomore Amber Smith is picking up right where she left off last season. Earning two all-American honors at the end of 2006, Smith has been named to the initial Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Top 50 Watch List for the Sixth Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award.
The only Missouri Valley Conference softball player recognized, Smith is on a list of 50 players that represents 33 schools and 11 different NCAA Division I Conferences. Joining the 6-0 utility player on the watch list are players from six teams the Redbirds will face in 2007 including Louisville, Georgia, Arizona State, Oklahoma, UCLA and Virginia Tech. The award is considered one of the most prestigious honors in women's collegiate softball and is designed to award outstanding athletic achievement.
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. Smith, who led the `Birds in nearly every offensive 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.
In 2006, Smith made Illinois State history when she received multiple all-America honors in her rookie season, as she was recognized on the Easton-Bell Sports Second Team and the NFCA Division I All-America Third Team. The NFCA Great Lakes Region First Team member was also named to the All-Valley First Team, while also being recognized as the conference's Newcomer of the Year. Smith established 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.
The `Birds will kick off the 2007 campaign at the Diamond Fun and Sun Classic in Miami, Fla., on February 9-11. Illinois State will take on Oklahoma at 11 a.m. in the tournament's opening round.
