Smith and O'Donnell at Liberty
Anyone who wants wonders how tough NCAA Division I athletics is can look no further than Liberty University, where former South Western softball standout Tiffani Smith just completed her freshman season.
The four-time YAIAA all-star, who is likely regarded as one of the best pitchers the league has ever seen, pitched in 31 games this spring for the Flames, including 20 starts.
Smith, who had a miniscule 0.20 ERA over her past two seasons with the Mustangs, finished with a 7-14 record, with two saves and a 3.71 ERA.
While 3.71 isn't bad, it proves the difference between high school and big college softball.
The fire-balling Smith allowed 109 hits in 115 innings, both of which were second on the Liberty team. She did strike out 93 hitters this season for the Flames, which finished 20-40 on the season.
Still, the first year is usually a learning experience for even the most blue-chip of athletes, so expect Smith to improve over the next couple of seasons.
Also at Liberty is Dallastown graduate Kyle O'Donnell, who is playing linebacker on the football team at the Baptist institution located in Lynchburg, Va.
O'Donnell played in all 11 games for the 6-5 Flames last fall and was credited with 14 tackles -- seven solo, seven assisted.
The former Wildcat star, who in 2005 as a senior ran for nearly 300 yards and six touchdowns during Dallastown's shocking upset of New Oxford, also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble as a redshirt freshman last fall for Liberty.
