Smith Selected as NWC Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore pitcher Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts as the Bearcats swept doubleheaders against Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound.

Smith pitched in three games with two starts and one relief appearance. She went 3-0 and allowed just one run for a 0.66 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.

She threw a complete-game four-hitter in Willamette's 9-1 win over Pacific Lutheran in the first game on the run rule in five innings. She threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to register the win in game two versus PLU, as the Bearcats prevailed 15-7 on the run rule in six innings.

In the first game against Puget Sound, Smith pitched the first three innings and allowed just two hits in a 9-0 run-rule win. She did not pitch in the second game versus UPS, which the Bearcats won 8-0 on the run rule in six innings. Smith earned three strikeouts and allowed two walks during the week.

Willamette outscored PLU and UPS by a combined 41-8 margin, as the Bearcats hit 12 doubles, two triples and two homers on their way to a .480 team batting average. Smith and fellow WU pitchers Victoria Bradshaw (Jr., P, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) and Hayley Glantz (Sr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) allowed a total of just seven earned run in the fourth games.

For the season, Smith is 8-6 with a 2.78 ERA. She has pitched 85 2/3 innings and has struck out 36 batters. She has achieved a 4-1 record in her last five appearances, while recording a 0.85 ERA.

Willamette will play Pacific Lutheran in two make-up games on Wednesday, April 8 in Parkland, Wash. Game time for the doubleheader is 2 p.m. (PDT).