May 1, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
After leading her team to a pair of wins over No. 19 Southern Illinois over the weekend, sophomore utility player Amber Smith was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week. The distinction is the fourth in Smith's career and her second of the season, after the Illinois State career home runs leader won the award on April 16.
Smith shared the weekly honor with sophomore Jessie Smith of Missouri State. The accolade was the fourth weekly honor of the year for the Redbird softball team, after Jessie Buker (March 19) and Shannon Nicholson (March 5) were awarded MVC Player and Pitcher of the week honors, respectively, earlier this season.
Smith continued her powerful hitting against No. 19 Southern Illinois over the weekend, recording three hits in eight at bats. Her average of .375 led the Redbirds, as Smith scored two runs and amassed nine total bases for ISU. The Illinois State career home runs leader added to her total, hitting two bombs.
Smith's two-run shot in Sunday's 2-1 win, plated both Illinois State runs as the sophomore utility player drove in four RBI on the weekend. Her slugging percentage was an impressive 1.125, and the starting Redbird first baseman tabbed a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage, with 22 putouts and three assists on defense.
Smith and the Redbirds face Eastern Illinois today when the Redbirds visit Williams Field in Charleston, Ill., for a 4 p.m. matchup with the Panthers.
