Smith helps lead team to national title

OXFORD, Ala. — Salyersville native Presley Smith helped to lead Indian River State College to a national championship over the weekend.

Indian River State College claimed the 2024 NJCAA DI Softball World Series title after defeating number 1 seed McLennan Community College (Texas) twice on Saturday, May 25. The Pioneers won back-to-back games, prevailing 6-5 and 3-0.

A utility player, Smith excelled throughout her freshman campaign. Smith was named to the 2024 NJCAA DI Softball World Series all-tournament team.

Indian River State concluded its season 57-10 after coming out of the elimination bracket to defeat McLennan.

It is Indian River State’s second national title. The Pioneers captured their first national title in 2002.

As a freshman, Smith batted .429 with a team-high 88 hits.

Smith earned numerous accolades during her freshman season at Indian River State, including the following:

Academic All-Conference, First Team All-Conference, All-Conference Tournament Team, First Team All-State, State Champion, World Series All-Tournament Team, NJCAA DI World Series National Champion.

A former Magoffin County High School softball player, Smith moved to Florida where she competed for Lakes Wales High School. Smith was a member of Lake Wales High School’s 2022 FHSAA 4A softball state runner-up and 2023 FHSAA 4A softball state championship teams. She was named to the 2022 and 2023 All-Polk County Teams and was an IB certificate recipient.

Smith is among the top junior college softball players in the nation.