INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Coppin State University softball’s Danielle Smith is the 2015-16 NCAA Division I statistical champion for Batting Average, announced on Friday July 8, 2016 by the NCAA Media Coordination and Statistics Staff.
The Coppin State shortstop was crowned the NCAA Division I statistical champion with a .505 batting average. Smith also led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in slugging percentage (.798) and on base percentage (.566) while ranking second in the MEAC in total bases (87) and in doubles (12). She is third in triples (4) and seventh in stolen bases (17) amongst the MEAC.
“This accomplishment shows future recruits that they will have the same opportunity as the bigger schools to make a name for themselves on a national level as Danielle did this past season,” head softball coach Gino Olivieri said. “Not only can you accomplish individual statistics, but we can also do it as a team too. I feel that we can win the conference, get an NCAA bid and that is what I am shooting for. I am very excited about the future here at Coppin.”
Smith carried Coppin State in 15 total hitting categories and finished the season on a 12 game hit streak. She had 16 multiple hit games and five multiple RBI games this season. In a home game against Hampton she homered twice and scored three runs. Against Albany, she recorded a season-best four hits and recorded five RBIs vs Howard.
“Danielle worked on her hitting a lot this year. She did everything at 100% and led by example. She worked very hard on the outside pitch and drove a lot balls the other way ultimately becoming a better hitter,” Olivieri finished.
Courtesy: Coppin State Athletics
