Softball: Lodico, Smardo earn Interstate 8 First Team honors

Dickey takes home Honorable Mention

Russell Hodges
Posted 6/13/21

Three members of the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity softball team were recognized with Interstate 8 All-Conference honors this season. Sophomore Morgan Smardo and senior Bella Lodico each received First-Team recognition, while junior Jordin Dickey took home an Honorable Mention after hitting .370 with four doubles, five stolen bases and 11 RBIs.

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Softball: Lodico, Smardo earn Interstate 8 First Team honors

Dickey takes home Honorable Mention

Posted

ROCHELLE — Three members of the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity softball team were recognized with Interstate 8 All-Conference honors this season. Sophomore Morgan Smardo and senior Bella Lodico each received First-Team recognition, while junior Jordin Dickey took home an Honorable Mention after hitting .370 with four doubles, five stolen bases and 11 RBIs.

“I was honored to receive All-Conference First Team honors for the season,” Lodico said. “I worked really hard to try my best and be the best for my teammates. I wanted to continue making an impact on the team and I’m very thankful for this award… I felt that our team really improved this year. We always gave 110 percent effort and we trusted each other.”

“I’m very happy to make the All-Conference team this year, especially as a sophomore playing on the varsity team.” Smardo added. “This is a big honor for me… I felt that our team played well this season. We had a lot of great hits and a lot of great plays in the field. We had very close games against Morris, Ottawa and Geneseo and our defense did very well this year.”

A four-year varsity starter in the pitcher’s circle, Lodico led the Lady Hubs with 76 and two-thirds innings thrown this season. Lodico posted a 3.84 ERA and struck out 73 batters while allowing only nine walks. Offensively, Lodico held a .286 batting average with four doubles, six RBIs and 13 runs. Lodico will be competing collegiately at Judson University next year.

“My teammates and I developed a better mental understanding of the game this season,” Lodico said. “I did my best to remember where batters hit the ball during previous innings or games. I felt that I had better control and movement on my pitches as well. I’d like to improve more by adding more pitches and staying more consistent. I’m excited to play in college and do the best I can for my team. I’m going to miss the bonds my teammates and I shared at RTHS.”

Smardo

Smardo turned in a tremendous season at the plate, leading the Lady Hubs in batting average (.417), on-base percentage (.485), slugging percentage (.617), hits (25), singles (16), doubles (6), triples (3), runs (19) and RBIs (14). Smardo also served as Rochelle’s No. 2 pitcher this season, tossing 28 innings and striking out 40 batters in 14 games, which included five starts.

“I feel that I did well at the plate this season,” Smardo said. “I played center field when I wasn’t pitching and I felt that I was a big asset to the team in that position. I’m looking forward to seeing more time on the mound next year. Bella is such a strong pitcher and I have some big shoes to fill… One of my goals for next season is breaking the record for most stolen bases. I will be working hard pitching for my KV Storm travel team this summer.”