EF’s Grace Smith commits to SRU
By JOSE NEGRON
jnegron@yourmvi.com
Grace Smith didn’t bother waiting for her senior year at Elizabeth Forward to begin before deciding where she wanted to spend her collegiate softball career.
The EF senior-to-be elected to make her decision Saturday, announcing her verbal commitment to continue her academic and softball careers at Slippery Rock University.
Smith will play for head coach Stacey Rice in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
“I have been working toward this for as long as I can remember,” said Smith, the daughter of Tom and Leslie Smith of Elizabeth Township. “I’m just excited that all my work over the years has paid off and that I get to continue playing the game I’ve grown up with.”
Smith, who also plays travel ball for Team Pennsylvania Fastpitch 18U Hall/Larcinese, generated interest from a few other collegiate programs.
But it didn’t take long for her to realize SRU was the best fit for her.
“Slippery Rock stood out as soon as I went to a camp and went on a visit,” Smith said. “The girls on the team and the coaches stood out to me. It was a very welcoming and team-oriented atmosphere.”
Smith is a versatile defensive recruit for Slippery Rock.
She was a starting outfielder for head coach Harry Rutherford and the Warriors during her freshman campaign in 2019. This past season, Smith moved over to first base and played a bit at second as well.
As she transitions into a role at the collegiate level, Smith could wind up being a factor at second, a corner infield position or in the outfield.
Regardless of where she plays on the field, Smith believes SRU is getting a player who is both adaptable and coachable.
“I will be happy to play wherever they need me to play,” she said. “I just want to be a good teammate. I like to talk on the field and pick up my teammates.”
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