Cards Welcome Kendall Smith
August 25, 2021 | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- University of Louisville head softball coach Holly Aprile has announced that Kendall Smith will join the Cardinals' 2022 roster after four seasons at Western Kentucky University.
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"We feel extremely fortunate to have such a high caliber student-athlete like Kendall Smith join our team," said Aprile. "The experience and leadership that she brings will be big keys to our success. Kendall understands how to compete and win against the best; two characteristics that she honed while playing for the legendary Don Dobina, and I know that she will take great pride in wearing Louisville across her chest for her final year."Â
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Smith, who hails from Bowling Green, Ky., helped the Toppers to the 2021 Conference USA title and an NCAA appearance while compiling a 32-15 overall record. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mideast Region selection and two-time All-Conference USA team honoree tallied 107 runs produced 113 RBIs while belting out 27 career home runs throughout her career. From behind the plate, the catcher threw out 38 would-be base stealers.
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In 2021, she stood third on the team with 28 runs while connecting on seven doubles, five home runs and 23 RBIs, earning All-Conference USA first team honors for the second time.
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In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Smith was a preseason Conference USA selection and stood third on the team with a .348 batting average, five home runs and 22 RBIs when the season ended after WKU compiled a
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As a sophomore Smith garnered NFCA All-Region third team honors and was an all-conference first team selection, finishing the year with a .321 batting average along with a career-high 12 homers and 46 RBIs.
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She made an immediate impact as a freshman, starting all 54 games and earning Conference USA All-Tournament Team honors after posting a .600 average at the Conference USA Championship.
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The 2021 Senior CLASS Award Candidate was also successful in the classroom at WKU while earning her degree in sport management. The NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete and Conference USA Academic Medal recipient was also name to the C-USA Honor Roll four times, WKU President's List three times, and WKU Dean's List twice.
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"We feel extremely fortunate to have such a high caliber student-athlete like Kendall Smith join our team," said Aprile. "The experience and leadership that she brings will be big keys to our success. Kendall understands how to compete and win against the best; two characteristics that she honed while playing for the legendary Don Dobina, and I know that she will take great pride in wearing Louisville across her chest for her final year."Â
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Smith, who hails from Bowling Green, Ky., helped the Toppers to the 2021 Conference USA title and an NCAA appearance while compiling a 32-15 overall record. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mideast Region selection and two-time All-Conference USA team honoree tallied 107 runs produced 113 RBIs while belting out 27 career home runs throughout her career. From behind the plate, the catcher threw out 38 would-be base stealers.
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In 2021, she stood third on the team with 28 runs while connecting on seven doubles, five home runs and 23 RBIs, earning All-Conference USA first team honors for the second time.
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In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Smith was a preseason Conference USA selection and stood third on the team with a .348 batting average, five home runs and 22 RBIs when the season ended after WKU compiled a
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As a sophomore Smith garnered NFCA All-Region third team honors and was an all-conference first team selection, finishing the year with a .321 batting average along with a career-high 12 homers and 46 RBIs.
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She made an immediate impact as a freshman, starting all 54 games and earning Conference USA All-Tournament Team honors after posting a .600 average at the Conference USA Championship.
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The 2021 Senior CLASS Award Candidate was also successful in the classroom at WKU while earning her degree in sport management. The NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete and Conference USA Academic Medal recipient was also name to the C-USA Honor Roll four times, WKU President's List three times, and WKU Dean's List twice.
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