North Carolina State University Athletics
Smith to Lead the Way One Last Time
2/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BY BRANDON YOPP
RALEIGH, N.C. Shanna Smith might be the same person that enrolled at NC State in the fall of 2005, but her game has certainly changed. Always a fierce competitor, the senior shortstop has emerged as a leader over the past two seasons, albeit a quiet one.
In a way, Smith captures the essence of what the Wolfpack softball program is all about; focused, gritty play, quiet confidence and unlimited ability.
“She is the player that all coaches want,” said head coach Lisa Navas. “She doesn’t cause problems. She goes out every day and does her job. She goes out every day and plays the game the right way.”
Hailing from nearby Albemarle, N.C., Smith set foot on campus as a freshman in 2005 eager to contribute to a program that was about to embark on only its second year in existence. Her time in the red and white began at first base, where she played 21 games. A few weeks into the season, Navas switched Smith and former shortstop turned first baseman Lisa Nentwig. Already familiar with playing shortstop due to her time on the travel-ball circuit, Smith played 40 games at the spot the rest of her freshman campaign.
“We made the change because of her glove and because she had experience on the left side of the field,” said Navas. “She had such a strong arm that we felt like she would be more of an asset to us at short.”
Obviously the move has paid off in spades, and State certainly hasn’t looked back. Since the switch, Smith has anchored the position for every single game --- all 132 of them --- the last two seasons. That includes two NCAA appearances and an ACC regular-season and tournament championship.
Aside from her concrete defensive abilities, Smith is arguably the soundest shortstop in the league. Her offensive numbers aren’t something to be taken lightly. Last year she hit a career-best .306 with 26 RBIs, 10 doubles, two triples and eight long balls. Smith also swiped 25 bases, fifth best in the conference and 68th nationally.
“I get excited when I’m on base,” said Smith. “When coach gives me the sign, it puts an extra fire into me.”
Across 2007 Smith enjoyed a nine-game hitting streak, also recording 15 multiple-hit games and five multiple-RBI games, while carrying a .277 clip with runners in scoring position.
Her efforts were acknowledged at the end of the season when she was one of three players on the Pack named first-team All-ACC. She set the tone for the squad early in ACC play by crushing a game-winning three-run bomb against No. 19 Florida State in the bottom of the sixth inning on March 4, giving State the rubber match in its conference opening series.
At the plate she approaches each at-bat the same way.
“I’m looking for my pitch,” said Smith. “I take a deep breath, and try to take in the situation on the field. I try and notice what the defense is giving me, and I use that to help decide what I need to do at the plate.”
The championship ring that she almost always wears was acquired during just her second year in the program. Although the title came during the younger stages of her career, it hasn’t spoiled the party for her latter days.
“I really think that we took it all in at the moment,” said Smith. “I don’t think that we assumed that we were going to win, but we had our own expectations to.”
She will acknowledge that the team, herself certainly included, wasn’t pleased with the way last year ended. The Pack, the No. 2 seed at the ACC Championships, lost two straight to Boston College and Maryland. Then after picking up a No. 1 NCAA regional seed in Columbia, State lost two of three games, both to host South Carolina, and the season was over as quickly as it had began.
This time around things are different. There is no pressure. An annual vote of the league’s eight head coaches handed the Wolfpack a predicted sixth-place finish this season. According to Smith, that allows the team some extra breathing room.
“It’s a lot easier to play with no expectations,” said Smith. “Last year I felt like we had the burden of the world to go out there and win every single game. We really didn’t have to, but this year we can have fun and take it as we go.”
That being said, Smith isn’t exactly expecting the 2008 Wolfpack --- complete with seven freshmen and two transfers --- to roll over and play dead. She wants to help lead the team to its third-straight NCAA appearance.
“We’re going to play hard,” said Smith. “I can promise you that. That’s the one thing this team always does. We play hard. We get after it. We want to win.”
Smith inherited part of that attitude from former teammate and current student assistant coach Jen Chamberlin. The two played side-by-side in the Wolfpack infield for three seasons. She credits Chamberlin with taking her under her wing early in her career and helping to mold her into the player that she is today.
“It was easy because we played side-by-side, and we had a great connection on the field,” said Smith.
As beneficial as that relationship was to Smith, she’s doing her best to carry on the tradition. She’s hoping to do her part of influencing the new crop of talent, both on the field and in the locker room.
“I want to help the freshmen learn their roles,” said Smith. “When I was a freshman I didn’t really have to step up into anything, but a lot of them will be starting and playing in every game this season. I’m trying to let them know that their extra time at practice and in the batting cage will pay off in the end.
“Every team in the country is practicing every day,” said Smith. “It’s what we do extra that is going to give us the advantage in the end. Coach Navas has preached that since day one, and it’s something that I believe in 110 percent. It’s an idea that everyone in this program needs to live by. It applies to more than just softball.”
In anticipation of her farewell season Smith has been practicing what she preaches. She has developed a close bond with newly acquired assistant coach Amanda Rivera, a former Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America during her playing days at Illinois-Chicago. Rivera has helped Smith with extra time in the batting cage, something that Smith believes will pay off come game time.
“The more pitches you see, the better you are going to be,” said Smith. “I feel like I put in a lot of extra work this off season, and I really think it’s going to pay off this year.”
Only a handful of days away from the season opener, the excitement and eagerness to get on the field is evident in her face. She wants to make plays. She wants to be the one that gets things done. She wants to deliver when the game is on the line.
“I want the ball,” said Smith. “I think about what the play is, and what the situation at hand is, but I really want the ball every single play. I feel like if it’s hit to me, then it’s in my hands. I like to take charge on the field, and I want to make the play every time someone steps up to the plate.”
She’s been getting it done for three years now. Don’t expect that to change during her last go-round.
RALEIGH, N.C. Shanna Smith might be the same person that enrolled at NC State in the fall of 2005, but her game has certainly changed. Always a fierce competitor, the senior shortstop has emerged as a leader over the past two seasons, albeit a quiet one.
In a way, Smith captures the essence of what the Wolfpack softball program is all about; focused, gritty play, quiet confidence and unlimited ability.
“She is the player that all coaches want,” said head coach Lisa Navas. “She doesn’t cause problems. She goes out every day and does her job. She goes out every day and plays the game the right way.”
Hailing from nearby Albemarle, N.C., Smith set foot on campus as a freshman in 2005 eager to contribute to a program that was about to embark on only its second year in existence. Her time in the red and white began at first base, where she played 21 games. A few weeks into the season, Navas switched Smith and former shortstop turned first baseman Lisa Nentwig. Already familiar with playing shortstop due to her time on the travel-ball circuit, Smith played 40 games at the spot the rest of her freshman campaign.
“We made the change because of her glove and because she had experience on the left side of the field,” said Navas. “She had such a strong arm that we felt like she would be more of an asset to us at short.”
Obviously the move has paid off in spades, and State certainly hasn’t looked back. Since the switch, Smith has anchored the position for every single game --- all 132 of them --- the last two seasons. That includes two NCAA appearances and an ACC regular-season and tournament championship.
Aside from her concrete defensive abilities, Smith is arguably the soundest shortstop in the league. Her offensive numbers aren’t something to be taken lightly. Last year she hit a career-best .306 with 26 RBIs, 10 doubles, two triples and eight long balls. Smith also swiped 25 bases, fifth best in the conference and 68th nationally.
“I get excited when I’m on base,” said Smith. “When coach gives me the sign, it puts an extra fire into me.”
Across 2007 Smith enjoyed a nine-game hitting streak, also recording 15 multiple-hit games and five multiple-RBI games, while carrying a .277 clip with runners in scoring position.
Her efforts were acknowledged at the end of the season when she was one of three players on the Pack named first-team All-ACC. She set the tone for the squad early in ACC play by crushing a game-winning three-run bomb against No. 19 Florida State in the bottom of the sixth inning on March 4, giving State the rubber match in its conference opening series.
At the plate she approaches each at-bat the same way.
“I’m looking for my pitch,” said Smith. “I take a deep breath, and try to take in the situation on the field. I try and notice what the defense is giving me, and I use that to help decide what I need to do at the plate.”
The championship ring that she almost always wears was acquired during just her second year in the program. Although the title came during the younger stages of her career, it hasn’t spoiled the party for her latter days.
“I really think that we took it all in at the moment,” said Smith. “I don’t think that we assumed that we were going to win, but we had our own expectations to.”
She will acknowledge that the team, herself certainly included, wasn’t pleased with the way last year ended. The Pack, the No. 2 seed at the ACC Championships, lost two straight to Boston College and Maryland. Then after picking up a No. 1 NCAA regional seed in Columbia, State lost two of three games, both to host South Carolina, and the season was over as quickly as it had began.
This time around things are different. There is no pressure. An annual vote of the league’s eight head coaches handed the Wolfpack a predicted sixth-place finish this season. According to Smith, that allows the team some extra breathing room.
“It’s a lot easier to play with no expectations,” said Smith. “Last year I felt like we had the burden of the world to go out there and win every single game. We really didn’t have to, but this year we can have fun and take it as we go.”
That being said, Smith isn’t exactly expecting the 2008 Wolfpack --- complete with seven freshmen and two transfers --- to roll over and play dead. She wants to help lead the team to its third-straight NCAA appearance.
“We’re going to play hard,” said Smith. “I can promise you that. That’s the one thing this team always does. We play hard. We get after it. We want to win.”
Smith inherited part of that attitude from former teammate and current student assistant coach Jen Chamberlin. The two played side-by-side in the Wolfpack infield for three seasons. She credits Chamberlin with taking her under her wing early in her career and helping to mold her into the player that she is today.
“It was easy because we played side-by-side, and we had a great connection on the field,” said Smith.
As beneficial as that relationship was to Smith, she’s doing her best to carry on the tradition. She’s hoping to do her part of influencing the new crop of talent, both on the field and in the locker room.
“I want to help the freshmen learn their roles,” said Smith. “When I was a freshman I didn’t really have to step up into anything, but a lot of them will be starting and playing in every game this season. I’m trying to let them know that their extra time at practice and in the batting cage will pay off in the end.
“Every team in the country is practicing every day,” said Smith. “It’s what we do extra that is going to give us the advantage in the end. Coach Navas has preached that since day one, and it’s something that I believe in 110 percent. It’s an idea that everyone in this program needs to live by. It applies to more than just softball.”
In anticipation of her farewell season Smith has been practicing what she preaches. She has developed a close bond with newly acquired assistant coach Amanda Rivera, a former Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America during her playing days at Illinois-Chicago. Rivera has helped Smith with extra time in the batting cage, something that Smith believes will pay off come game time.
“The more pitches you see, the better you are going to be,” said Smith. “I feel like I put in a lot of extra work this off season, and I really think it’s going to pay off this year.”
Only a handful of days away from the season opener, the excitement and eagerness to get on the field is evident in her face. She wants to make plays. She wants to be the one that gets things done. She wants to deliver when the game is on the line.
“I want the ball,” said Smith. “I think about what the play is, and what the situation at hand is, but I really want the ball every single play. I feel like if it’s hit to me, then it’s in my hands. I like to take charge on the field, and I want to make the play every time someone steps up to the plate.”
She’s been getting it done for three years now. Don’t expect that to change during her last go-round.
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