Nov. 26, 2008

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara softball team closed out the fall tournament schedule and is currently preparing for the 2009 regular season. While game results did not always go in the Broncos favor, one major bright spot came in junior transfer Megan Smith. Smith joined the Santa Clara softball team with hopes of being part of a Division I team and possibly play a few innings; however the Hollister, Calif. native has not only started in every game for the Broncos this fall at second base, but has been a consistent force in the SCU lineup.

"Megan is a dedicated talented player," head coach Lisa Mize said. "She filled the void we had going into this season and has proven to be leader on a team with a lot of newcomers."

Smith, a marketing major, thought she concluded her softball career after graduating from high school.

"After high school I went UCLA," reminisced Smith. "I did not think I would ever play softball in college and had planned on just going to school. After being at UCLA for a little over a year the desire to continue to play softball made me decide to transfer to West Valley Community College."

While at West Valley she was an immediate leader and had a successful career with numerous accolades. With the success at the junior college level from 2006-08, Smith felt that she was capable of playing at a higher level and began to pursue playing at the Division I collegiate level.

Fast forward six months, she is now a member of the Santa Clara softball team with the starting second baseman job.

"I absolutely love it here," she said. "The coaching staff is great, we all get along and everybody is focused on the team and committed to a common goal - winning!"

For Smith who grew up with her dad as her softball coach, she has the opportunity to continue to stay close to her number one passion and help lead the Broncos on a successful run in 2009.