Show B2 —' The Herald Journal Logan Utah Saturday March 23 2002 ET DS SI 0SDBD D3I03 Smith called ‘heart’ of Aggie softball team game because of it — the second half of the doubjeheader — and was back a few days later in the USU lineup “Watching her makes you want to be a better player” Curtis said “She's out there walking her tail off giving us a reason to play harder” Though her numbers thus far candideclare her an date they're the least impressive ' thing about Smith This season the venerable backstop's batting 295 with two home runs eight RBI and has made just one error behind the shot against plate Smith's two-ru- n San Jose State Saturday propelled USU to a 0 win “Bre very seldom has a bad at- bat” Aggie coach Debbie Bilbao said “I really consider her a 340 hitter She’s pretty clutch She makes good contact with the ball She’s really our leader in that category” Smith’s actions speak loud enough: Her voice speaks with even greater amplitude That’s why she became & catcher to begin with In ninth grade at Bing- -' ham High the vocal adolescent was asked to move from third base to catcher in order to better serve the squad Though somewhat reluctant Smith put on the' gear and thrived honors ' earning her last two seasons Ini 999 Smith ( formerly Nickle) started all 50 games for USU hit 270 and was a team captain As a freshman “I think Breanne brings every dimension to our team” Kristin Hommel said “She’s a vocal leader and a performance leader She’s that person who anyone can talk to about softball school family “Even in her freshman year seniors Would go toher and talk By David Cordero staff writer e She's u coach's dream this Smith She's an inspiration to her teammates a leader on the dia- - ' rnond someone who would dive ' through concrete to make a play Actually that last statement isn’t much of an exaggeration Two years ago in the first game of a doubleheader Smith bounced up from her catcher's position toward a in foul territory As she pop-u- p neared the dugout the Utah State sophomore went horizontal in an Bre-ann- ' attempt to snare the ball She was successful in that she caught it More importantly she was fortunate tohave not relocatedher ' nose she came down When Smith landed on concrete She hit her knees They were padded She also scraped the top of her nose But she was lucky Smith said she was only an inch or two away from breaking her nose ' “That was scary” teammate Heather Curtissaid “If something would have happened it would have been a hard adjustment for us She's such an inspiration and a leader “She is the heart of the team" The Aggies begin the conference portion of their schedule Sat- urday afternoon at Long Beach State (24-1and will do so with the worst record in the Big West If they step things up and finish in the middle tier of the conference standfinish would be ings — a sixth-plac- e their best since 1996 — the catalyst most likely will have been Smith Teammates admire her hustle and grit Smith's diving effort was exhibited just weeks after fouling a pitch ' off her nose She missed just one ' first-tea- (3-2- 0) service-orient- 3) non-leag- e ed te student-athlet- es nt v'fcr “I just love to help people and make them happy” Smith said “I want to serve the community and L enjoy the reward I get from it” On the field though rewards in terms of wins have been few The squad’s 340 winning percentage in 1999 was the lowest in team history -- A to that point In 2000 it was 333 It won at a 22 percent clip a year ago Still worse the Ags have a 130 winning percentage so far this sea- son Yet Smith comes to each practice with an effervescent spirit willing to ' give up her body willing to be an be that to her example willing player teammates can count on — not just between the lines — but off the field all-sta- te m Of about slumps they were having She’s always been that way “I can’t remember her being any different” It’s because she hasn't Smith said she was raised to be to lend a hand whenever possible She is a member of twoathletic organizations (Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Student-AthleMentors) which deal help fellow with issues such as stress manage-mealcohol awareness and hut- the media dling Last summer Smith interned in the behavioral health unit at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City where she worked with kids who have problems dealing with aggression When she graduates in May she plans on moving back to Salt Lake City with her husband Justin and working at Primary 2-- ' i v "y! i 1 -- Mitch MaacanVHerald Journal Utah State senior catcher Breanne Smith has proven to be her years behind the plate for the Aggies " “I just have a wilL I Smith said “I never give up guess” I’m a fighter It's been a difficult road but I’we learned a lot and its ' been a great experience” Said Bilbao: “Breanne is a joy to coach She is just a greqt kid who has been successful here purely because' of her work ethic die-ha- rd as well a team leader during “She makes die proper choices in every area of her life and I think die kids really feed on that She wants the team to do well and will do whatever it takes for the team to do well” Even if it means going nose first into some concrete KCM auanta Terrapins Huskies also notch wins I set Elite Eight all By The Associated ' Press ' ' The favorites finally had their way in the NCAAv No I seeded teams Maryland and Kansas Connecticut and along with second-seede- d Oregon all won Friday night to move into the final (sight stemming the run of stunners in the -- tournament' Juan Dixon held to Even with four points over the final' 14 minutes Maryland defeated fourth-seede- d Kentucky 78-6- 8 to reach the East Regional final Maryland's opponent Sunday will be UConn Which stopped 1 1 Southern Illinois' upset run by beating the Salukis 71-5- 9 Kansas' held Frank Williams to 15 points and beat No Illinois 73-6- 9 The Illini eliminated the Jayhawks in the round of 16 last year as Williams scored 30 Now Kansas — which has hever been to the Final Four as a No 1 seed under coach Roy Williams — will play Oregon in the Midwest Regional final Sunday Oregon beat sixth-seedTexas 72-7- 0 on Freddie Jones’ basket with 28 seconds left In Saturday's regional finals it will be Indi- ana against Kent State in the South and Okla- -' homa against Missouri in the West Indiana knocked On Thursday off defending national champion Duke while Kent State beat Pittsburgh No 12 Missouri became the lowest seeded team to reach' a regional final by beating UCLA ed - APphoto Oregon’s Frederick Jones right puts up the g shot over Texas’ Deginald Erskin (15) during Friday's NCAA Tournament game game-winnin- ed - ' fifth-seed- ' 10th-seed- ed ed Midwest At Madison Wis Kansas 73 Illinola69 Aaron Miles held Williams in check and scored 1 3 points as part of an outstanding effort by three Kansas freshmen In 2001 the Jayhawks’ season ended at this stage with an 8044 joss to Illinois as Williams scored 30 points “It wasn’t really me that shut him dpwn” Miles said “He missed some open shots” Kcith Langfprd scored IS points including two free throws with 28 seconds lefi that sealed the victory and Wayne Simien added seven points Sijd six rebounds for the Jayhawks (32-- 3) ''"vV 0) Sixth-seed- ii ' H 4 - -- ' f ) 1939 “My overall game wis terrible” Jones said X0 41-2- 2) ' ‘ t ed --- Rpbert Archibald had 15 points and 10 v Illinois (26-9- ) i d reboupds for “h does not surprise me that their three ' reshinen played well” Illinois coach BiU Self ' said “Their three freshmep would be starting for every other school in America otherthan ' Kansas with the exception of maybe one or ' two other schools 'V ) n fifth-seed- ed ’ fourth-seede- i 77-6- 4) wp 1 i Despite a quiet second half from Dixon Maryland moved within a victory of its second Final Four straight ‘ beat UConn 5 in Wash Maryland 29-ington on Dec 3 APphoto " Dixon die Atlantic Coast Conference player Kansas’ Keith Langford center is surrounded by teammates Wayne Simien fefk and Kkk Hlnrich after1' of the C year finished with 19 points being fouled by ah Illinois defender in Ihelast two seconds of the NCAA Mklwost Regional semifinal Ifth victory in gnpA fiyfed Ken- the season of ' down die stretch I knew that we '! (22-1Langford picked up the slack for senior Jeff 17 which “Coming tucky got only points from : Boschee who was averaging 136pointsbut were going to need a play and I was happy that senior star Tkyshaun Prince —24 fewer than scored Just six Miles filled in nicely forjunior I was in a' position to try lb redeem myself” : f be scored in a sectedriound victory over Ihlsa ' Kirk Hinrich Who sprained his ankle in the Texas (22-1was down 8 “They’re a veteran team Sometimes I wish first round and spentof much of the game at halftime but the Longhorns used a 13-- 0 run had mote emotion" Thnapins coach Gary ' they ' Illinois — 3in trouble foul Boddicker’s three IMmams Brian said “Ws are not surprised when we r against highlighted by ' win Big 12 player of the year Drew Gooden had pointers to pull even at 51 with about 12 go in thinking we’re good enoui to win 15 points and 13 rebounds for Kansas minutes to play- - ' andwhen we dot we move on totfae next game"' ' ' Hinrich 3- a made StilL for every Texas run the Lukes— as in averaging )52 points Cosmectlcut 71 Southern Illinois 59 Luke Jackson and Luke Ridnour seemed to pointer 10 seconds irito thp game —but was Caron Butler icored 19 points and Emeika feoreless after that have an answer Jackson led the Ducks with 25 Qkafor provided big plays at both ends fo put j “I think maybe I was a little too pumped points and RiAiour added 20 carrying the v 1999 national champfen UConn back in the 'v team for stretches while Jones who had been fini right r i: up” Hinrich said “I made some sUly fouls” i Oregon 72 Texas 70 V Led by transfer Rolan Roberts Mio scored ni averaging 186 points struggled ' 24 points the Salukis luing around despite : ' Jpnes’ winmnlapwas jurt to seemd “TheyVe been dcxng that all year long' ’ basket of the ve made lig play after big play in every trailing by as many as 12 points The Salukis hadn’t won three e game” Jones said “Tbey have the con- surprised Nov6 Tbxas Tech andNo 3 georgia tournament since Sdence to take tte big shot and they did a great ( in diefirst two rounds 'vvvvJ f i ' ' At Syracuse NY Maryland 78Kentucky 68 ' ' a East" I " ’ including an inside' basket that tied it at 70 with 232 seconds left ‘ '" - f 4 A i’ : 10 '- ' Am m - I 4 r: a I ± t" t " j r A A 4 J t T' I f '" ' AAr " " "A ' ' 'j Y b4a ’ r v : 7 ( mj 'v’ r ' i : M pt i - w b Aj ) '" ' -t t i |