Ashley Smith enjoys leadoff role for Mount Mercy softball

CEDAR RAPIDS — Ashley Smith has carved her niche in Mount Mercy’s softball program.

The Mustangs sophomore has assumed the leadoff role this season, attempting to be a catalyst for the offense. She welcomes that responsibility and was very familiar with it before college.

“It’s something I stepped into this year,” Smith said. “It’s not completely new to me because I did it in high school and travel ball. I enjoy it.”

Smith recorded a team-high two hits and scored the sixth-seeded Mustangs’ lone run in a 4-1 loss to No. 3 Benedictine (Kan.) College in the quarterfinals of the Heart of America Athletic Conference softball tournament Friday at Busse Field.

Smith finished with two singles in four at-bats. She crossed the plate on a Calli Janik double in the third. She was stranded in scoring position in the fifth.

“I knew I needed to get on base and we needed some runs,” Smith said. “I tried to do anything that I could to get on. I knew I had to so my teammates could get me in.”

Smith had a year hiatus from her normal spot in the lineup as she acclimated to the college level. Mount Mercy Coach Larry Yoder recalled asking her if she liked being in the spot and wanted more of it. She said yes and he told her to get it.

“She worked hard to make a lot of changes,” Yoder said. “She didn’t do a lot of slapping and some of the things she does now. She worked hard to make changes. When you keep getting hits, you get more opportunities and she kept taking them.

“Nothing was given to her. She earned it all.”

Smith leads Mount Mercy with 29 runs and 15 stolen bases. Her 43 hits are second behind Janik’s 47. Smith owns a .321 batting average and .396 on-base percentage. Leadoff duties extend beyond getting on and rounding bases.

“I keep an open mind and take pitches so I can relay it back to my teammates, too,” Smith said. “Look at positions other players are in to do some small ball. See where they are to be able to nail it into the ground or see if I can get it over their heads. Just a lot of things to try and get on base.”

Speed has been a key asset for the right fielder from Davenport West. She demonstrated why she was known for her quickness, garnering nicknames like “Speedy” and “Wheels.” Smith scored from first on a flyball to the right center field gap. She beat out a groundball to second for a base hit the next at-bat.

“Not everybody scores on that ball in the gap but she does,” said Yoder, noting, “She can steal bases. When you’re down a few, like today, it’s not worth taking the risk but she’s definitely someone you can always count on. As a leadoff hitter, she gets on. You don’t have to bunt somebody. You know you can get her over there in a different way without giving up an out. That’s huge for her.”

Yoder said Smith has worked through her shy nature to show leadership. She said hopes to expand her impact the next two seasons.

“We have a lot of great seniors who are graduating this year,” Smith said. “There’s going to be a lot of us stepping up to do to fill their spots. It’s going to be hard.”

Keily Ulatowski, Sam Lee and Sarah Heick also had hits for Mount Mercy.

Benedictine’s Baylee Knorr had a solo home run in the first. She drove in Kassidy Jones with a sacrifice fly to close a three-run second for the Ravens. Jones had a two-run single earlier in the frame. Benedictine (37-12) advances to Saturday’s semifinal against No. 7 Missouri Valley (19-26). Ravens assistant coach Jenna Schwartzhoff is a former Cedar Rapids Kennedy prep.

Smith added a base hit in a consolation game Friday night. Baker (Kan.) University defeated the Mustangs, 3-0, and eliminated them from the tournament..

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