Family Involved In Molding Softball Career

Three Smith Sisters Will Vy For Varsity At Farmington

Editor’s note — This is part of a series examining Jordin Smith’s athletic lifestyle with juvenile diabetes. FARMINGTON — Like her role model for sports, Jennie Finch, (Arizona 2002), Jordin Smith made the varsity softball team as a freshman despite dealing with juvenile diabetes.

Randy Osnes, head softball coach for the Farmington Lady Cardinals, said a trend has developed over the last 5 to 6 years with freshmen coming up who are ready to play varsity ball.

“She’s played a lot, summer ball included. She knew what she was doing,” Osnes said. “I’m very proud of her freshman year and she did a great job her sophomore year. I’m definitely looking forward to her junior year.”

Smith has looked up to Finch, a pitcher on the U.S. National team.

“She was just so fast and everything was so smooth,” Smith said. “I wanted to do everything she was and go as far as she did.”

For her part, Smith has enjoyed becoming a part of the tradition-rich Lady Cardinal softball program.

“Coach Osnes, he’s a very great coach. He knows what he’s doing,” Smith said. “He takes the time one on one with you to make sure you’re doing everything correct.”

Smith has a fondness for Steve Morgan, Farmington assistant softball coach.

“He’s really funny. He always gets you pumped up,” Smith said.

From the parental point of view, Lorinda Smith, Smith’s mother, has been impressed with Farmington softball.

“The whole program is structured, it’s something you don’t even see at all college levels,” Lorinda Smith said.

With the graduation of starting pitcher Madison Barnes, who went 56-10 over the past two seasons, more is expected from Smith. In the Farmington softball program, reloading is more common than rebuilding.

“As a freshman, I batted quite a bit. It’s mainly in tournaments that I would come in and pitch,” Smith said. “Having Madison and Coach Osnes to help me made it way easier.”

Smith is aware of Barnes’ accomplishments and also played on the 2011 state championship team, but now finds herself stepping into those shoes as a primary starting pitcher.

“I hope to continue the way she did cause she did a good job,” Smith said.

Osnes confirmed plans to start Smith, saying both pitchers were used the last two seasons.

“Jordin has been doing a very good job for her summer team this summer,” Osnes said.

Lorinda Smith can’t help but be excited with the prospect of having all three of her daughters, including twins Brooke and Taylor, on next season’s softball team.

“I’m interested to see how next year is going to go with Brooke and Taylor being rookies and Jordin being a junior,” Lorinda Smith said.

Smith credits her dad, Dwayne Smith, with getting her started in softball.

“He just enjoyed watching softball and I ended up signing up one year to see if I’d like it and I ended up loving it,” Smith said.

Lorinda Smith said Jordin sits at the house, watches all the college games, and picks up little things she will use in her own game.

Theresa Hayes, the girls’ aunt and their mom’s sister, lives in Missouri, and the girls said she always helps out whenever things are needed.

“She’s a great aunt and I feel like I can talk to her anytime,” Smith said.

“Aunt Theresa, she’s always been there for us and helps us go through the rough times,” Brooke Smith said.

At a recent game with Brooke playing third base, Smith couldn’t keep from coaching from the bleachers until Katie Chavious, who was coaching the team stopped her.

“Jordin was sitting right there criticizing everything,” Lorinda Smith said. “Katie Chavious told Jordin, ‘I can handle it, just calm down, I’ll walk her through it.’”

In spite of the outburst, Brooke said Smith is a good sister.

“She helps with our sports, encouraging, training and teaching,” Brooke Smith said.

For Smith, the greatest thing about growing up in Farmington is all the people.

“I’ve got so many friends around here. I’ve got family, who graduated from here, too,” Smith said. “It’s nice to see how far it’s come from back then.”