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Alexandria Smith will compete at the next level in a sport she has played for 11 years.
The East Peoria Community High School senior signed Jan. 17 with Lake Land College, where she will play softball.
Smith said she liked how the Mattoon school affiliated with the National Junior College Athletic Association tries to focus equally on athletics and academics.
“I always wanted to play,” said Smith of her collegiate goal, adding she likes to watch softball on television as well.
Smith, who desires to contribute early for Lake Land, said getting in shape is a priority prior to becoming a Laker.
Smith will join the softball program directed by Nic Nelson. Last spring, Lake Land won the Region 24 championship during a 41-10 season.
“I’m excited to meet the team and bond with them,” Smith said.
She said the rest of her high school career will be less stressful after her college decision was reached.
Before heading to Mattoon, Smith will be part of a Raider softball squad that went a record-setting 33-6 a year ago and played for the first time in a Class 3A sectional title game.
In two full varsity seasons in the circle, Smith has compiled an 18-10 record with a 2.87 ERA and 181 strikeouts with 73 walks in 178 innings.
Her numbers last year — 10-2, 1.62 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 78 innings — were particularly noteworthy.
She also was productive as a hitter in her junior campaign with a .345 batting average, two home runs and 12 RBI.
East Peoria will be under the guidance of first-year softball head coach Denee Menzione.
Smith is undecided on a major, but eventually may select a business-related field.
Alexandria Smith will compete at the next level in a sport she has played for 11 years.
The East Peoria Community High School senior signed Jan. 17 with Lake Land College, where she will play softball.
Smith said she liked how the Mattoon school affiliated with the National Junior College Athletic Association tries to focus equally on athletics and academics.
“I always wanted to play,” said Smith of her collegiate goal, adding she likes to watch softball on television as well.
Smith, who desires to contribute early for Lake Land, said getting in shape is a priority prior to becoming a Laker.
Smith will join the softball program directed by Nic Nelson. Last spring, Lake Land won the Region 24 championship during a 41-10 season.
“I’m excited to meet the team and bond with them,” Smith said.
She said the rest of her high school career will be less stressful after her college decision was reached.
Before heading to Mattoon, Smith will be part of a Raider softball squad that went a record-setting 33-6 a year ago and played for the first time in a Class 3A sectional title game.
In two full varsity seasons in the circle, Smith has compiled an 18-10 record with a 2.87 ERA and 181 strikeouts with 73 walks in 178 innings.
Her numbers last year — 10-2, 1.62 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 78 innings — were particularly noteworthy.
She also was productive as a hitter in her junior campaign with a .345 batting average, two home runs and 12 RBI.
East Peoria will be under the guidance of first-year softball head coach Denee Menzione.
Smith is undecided on a major, but eventually may select a business-related field.
