McLoud High School softball player Ella Smith is spending her summer close to the game she loves, even as she works her way back to full strength. Surrounded by familiar faces and the energy of preseason preparation, she is focused on returning to the circle and helping the Redskins chase a deep postseason run. “Summer workouts have been great, even though I’m not playing/working out with the girls I love being in the environment of it all.”
Smith, a pitcher, prides herself on her composure and ability to handle tense moments that come with high-stakes games. She knows that mental toughness is just as important as command of her pitches and she is putting in the work to sharpen both sides of her game heading into her senior campaign. “I would say my strengths are being in the moment and not letting the momentum of an intense game affect me. I am working on improving my mechanics and getting my pitches to work every game I am in.”
Smith believes McLoud has the experience and leadership needed to contend for a spot at the state tournament. She has seen the program grow and understands what it will take for this group to extend its season beyond the early rounds of the playoffs. “I think this team will have so much success this year, since most of us starters are seniors. I think we have a good chance at making it to the state tournament since we have so much experience being in the big moments.”
Smith’s message to her teammates reflects that urgency. She wants the group to embrace every inning and every game, knowing how quickly a season can come to an end. “My message to my teammates is to live in the moment and play hard every game because you never know when it could be your last.”
Smith points to underclassmen who embody the same passion she brings to the game. “I think Paisley Popplereiter will shock everyone this season with her passion for the game and her love for it. Macen Fixico is an underclassman that has a love for the game, and she will do anything she can to play to her best ability, I think those two are great underclassman to watch.”
As she looks ahead to her final season, Smith hopes to leave a lasting impact that goes beyond wins and losses. “I want to be remembered as a player who will not only play to her best potential but also a hard-working student and a person who brings joy and brightness to another person’s day.”
