Ka'ili Smith Named SEC Softball Player of the Week
April 16, 2012 | Softball
"This is a team award because I would not have been honored had we not won this past week," Smith said. "I would like to credit my teammates for their performance in the four games as well as my coaching staff for their work in helping me develop as a player."
The Kapolei, Hawaii, native hit .615 (8-for-13) over the past seven days, helping move the Bulldogs to third place in the competitive SEC West. During that stretch, the Hawaiian Hammer racked up six RBIs, six runs, two walks, two doubles, a triple, a stolen base and a .923 slugging percentage. Before this season, 14 of the previous 16 MSU players to be named SEC Player of the Week have gone on to earn All-SEC honors.
In the 12-3 run-rule win at home against 2011 NCAA Tournament squad Jackson State this past Tuesday, Smith matched season highs with four RBIs and three hits, in addition to a pair of runs and her first triple since March 2011.
Three days later in the 5-3 series-opening triumph at arch nemesis Ole Miss, the 2009 All-SEC member went 2-for-4 with a double, single and a run scored. The Flyin' Hawaiian came back a day later to earn a walk, steal her 10th base of the season and score the tying run in MSU's come-from-behind 2-1 victory against the Rebels. State's sweep of its weekend opponent came Sunday due in large part to Smith, who finished 3-for-4 at the dish in the televised contest with a pair of RBIs and runs, as well as a walk and a double.
"Ka'ili has a major-league type mental approach to her at-bats," Head Coach Vann Stuedeman said. "She stepped up in a pivotal series for our team."
Following her award-winning performance this week, Smith currently ranks in the top 10 in several league categories, including: runs (10th, 33), doubles (T-9th, 9), hits (9th, 49), and walks (6th, 31). The weekly conference accolade is not Smith's first, having been named SEC Freshman of the Week two times in 2009 (March 9 and May 4).
Bulldog fans can watch their reigning SEC Player of the Week Tuesday at 6 p.m., as Starkville's Team travels to in-state foe Southern Miss for a 6 p.m. non-conference contest at the Southern Miss Softball complex. For more information on Smith and her teammates, follow the softball program on Twitter at @MStateSB as well as Facebook at Facebook.com/MStateSB.
Mississippi State's SEC Softball Players of the Week
April 16, 2012 - Ka'ili Smith
March 5, 2012 - Jessica Cooley
March 1, 2010 - Chelsea Bramlett*^
March 30, 2009 - Ali Bainbridge
February 11, 2008 - Chelsea Bramlett*^
April 24, 2007 - Sammie Jo Bailey
February 7, 2005 - Courtney Bures*^
April 12, 2004 - Kate Jaspers^
February 23, 2004 - Iyhia McMichael*^
March 31, 2003 - Iyhia McMichael*^
May 6, 2002 - Kellie Wilkerson*^
March 26, 2001 - Iyhia McMichael^
April 3, 2000 - Keri McCallum*^
March 13, 2000 - Karrie Rider^
February 21, 2000 - Kellie Wilkerson*^
March 9, 1999 - Keri McCallum^
March 31, 1998 - Michelle Gates^
* Earned All-American Honors That Season
^ Earned All-SEC Honors That Season
