Northwestern State adds former Texas A&M pitcher to softball coaching staff

NATCHITOCHES –Lexi Smith has either pitched or coached at nearly every level of softball in her career, a valuable asset the Texas native will bring as the Northwestern State softball pitching coach, announced head coach Donald Pickett on Thursday.

Smith pitched at Texas A&M and Temple College before coaching at the high school and Division III levels, most recently as pitching coach at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

“Lexi is a hard worker, and I got to know her through camps and clinics,” said Pickett, whose NSU pitching staff has consistently been near the top of the Southland Conference. “I got to know her as a player, and she’ll be able to relate well to the kids because she’s been a lot of different levels.

“We’re super excited about her joining the staff, and she’ll bring the energy and work ethic to this program that’s needed to be successful.”

Smith tutored all-conference pitcher Kinly McCaffery at Southwestern, who posted a 3-2 record and a save with a team-high 49 strikeouts.

She also has head coaching experiencing at Jourdanton ISD, leading the Squaws for one season in 2020.

Before Southwestern, Smith assisted with pitchers at her alma mater Texas A&M in the 2019 season. She contributed to in-game pitch calling with pitching coach Kara Dill as well as other data analysis.

As a player, Smith donned the Texas A&M maroon for the final two seasons of her collegiate career.

Smith was voted NFCA All-South Region Second Team as a junior with 12-1 record and a team-best ERA of 1.63 with 118 strikeouts in 107 innings, including five shutouts.

The Temple, Texas, native also posted a team-low 1.66 ERA with a 10-2 record as a senior in 2018.

Smith shined at Temple College in her first two seasons, earning NJCAA All-American status both seasons with a combined 50-14 record, including five no-hitters as a sophomore. One highlight included a 14-inning perfect game against Vernon College with 32 strikeouts.