When then-junior Katie Smith began signing e-mails to her coach POY, a lighthearted reference to being named 2004 NESCAC and ECAC Player of the Year, coach Cheryl Milligan responded by coining a new nickname for her standout first baseman - POLY, meaning Player of Last Year. The nickname stuck, and in addition to shedding some light on the dynamic between player and coach, it has posed a challenge to Smith in 2005.
"She's simply a phenomenal player," Milligan said. "She can really carry the team, and I just wanted to remind her that there's a lot left to do, a lot more to give to the team."
And Smith, now a co-captain in her fourth and final season at Tufts, plans to do just that as the Jumbos look to climb back on top of the NESCAC rankings after a brief slip last season. If Smith's 2005 stats look anything like her 2004 numbers, the Convent Station, N.J. native may help lead Tufts back to the top in her final year on the Hill.
As the 2004 season ended, Smith's name appeared over and over again as postseason honors started rolling in. In addition to the two Player of the Year awards, she earned spots on the NESCAC, ECAC and All-New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches' selected teams after a season of consistently top-notch numbers.
Smith commented on her 2004 honors.
"Obviously, I was really excited about it, but I'm just going to play the same way I've been playing," she said. "I might face some harder pitching this season, but hopefully I'll be able to adjust."
Smith pummeled NESCAC pitchers last season, leading the league with a batting average of .414 and a slugging percentage of .616 and anchoring the Jumbos' lineup at either the three- or four-spot. Smacking 41 hits for 61 total bases, second in both categories only behind fellow Jumbos, and accumulating a .442 on-base percentage, Smith was a thorn in the side of NESCAC pitchers all season. Her 23 RBIs were good for third in the conference and her four home runs were second only to fellow teammate and 2005 senior co-captain Courtney Bongiolatti.
At first base, Smith has a hand in nearly every play for Tufts in the field, and her near-flawless performance on the bag in 2004 gave her a .989 fielding percentage, recording only three errors in 271 chances.
While Smith certainly seems to have the moves down, she recognized the psychological part of the sport as well.
"My Tufts coaches have focused more on the mental aspect of the game," she said. "That's definitely important, in terms of being confident and prepared going into each game."
Smith's senior season will cap a long involvement with the sport, which began as a youngster and has carried her all the way to the collegiate level.
"Softball just seemed to fit me best," she said. "I started so young and played so much, and I really ended up loving it, and that's what keeps me playing."
This love of the game comes through on and off the diamond, and is at the heart of Smith's incredible talent.
"The game just comes easily to her," Milligan said. "She can really make a huge dent in the competition and a real impact on our season. Katie is exactly who she is, and she's really something else."
