Mary Beth Smith '16 returned to the Averett University softball program as an assistant coach and pitching coach for the Cougars.
Smith finished her career as one of the top pitchers and hitters in program history after playing her final three seasons for the Cougars from 2014-16. The two-time USA South Conference Pitcher of the Year went 53-21 in the circle with a 2.21 earned run average with 430 strikeouts in 472.2 innings pitched. She ranks first all-time in Averett's record book in career and single-season pitching wins, career and single-season strikeouts, career and single-season lowest opponent batting average, career shutouts and career and single-season strikeouts per seven innings. She also ranks second in career ERA and pitching appearances and fourth in career innings pitched.
Smith was equally as impressive at the plate. At the time of her induction she ranks second in career RBIs (124), third in career batting average (.410), fourth in home runs (18) and nine in hits (148). She also holds records for career slugging percentage (.690), single-single home runs (11), total bases in a game (11) and the USA South record for RBIs in a single game (nine).
The native of Elon, North Carolina, also finished with 41 doubles, three triples and 78 runs scored while helping the Cougars win the 2015 conference regular season title and earn an at-large berth into the NCAA Regionals. Smith was a two-time NFCA All-Region selection, two-time all-state selection and three-time all-conference performer while also being named to the 2016 USA South All-Tournament Team. She also earned academic all-conference accolades.
She was inducted into the Averett Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 8, 2022.
Smith's coaching experience includes being an assistant coach for her alma mater, Bartlett Yancey High School, in 2017 and has given private pitching lessons since 2016,
Smith graduated from Averett in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in business.
