Former Rochelle softball standout Morgan Smardo crushed the competition during her freshman season at Waubonsee Community College, earning NFCA Second-Team All-American honors and a slew of additional accolades after posting a team-high .503 batting average and 74 hits.
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Former Rochelle softball standout Morgan Smardo crushed the competition during her freshman season at Waubonsee Community College, earning NFCA Second-Team All-American honors and a slew of additional accolades after posting a team-high .503 batting average and 74 hits.
Smardo’s highly successful freshman campaign resulted in an offer to attend the University of St. Francis in Joliet and continue her softball career at the NAIA level. Although facing a stiffer level of competition presented some challenges, Smardo closed out her sophomore season in style, recording base hits in 15 of her final 17 games and stringing together an 11-game hitting streak to end her season with a .306 batting average. Smardo collected 33 hits and 12 RBIs.
“Overall, my sophomore season was decent,” Smardo said. “I had my ups and downs through the season, but my first year at St. Francis was fun and competitive. The dorm life was definitely a big change for me. The competition was more competitive and the pitching and talent were on a slightly higher level. It was definitely a different caliber game with better hitters and tougher teams. Coming to a new, higher level team, there was definitely a change of pace and intensity.”
Smardo smacked three doubles and three triples for the Fighting Saints, who went 20-20 during the 2025 season. The former Lady Hub softball star took on multiple roles during her first year with St. Francis, playing left and right field while adding 21 innings pitched over 11 appearances. Smardo struck out 10 batters and earned her first win as a Fighting Saint on April 17, when she fanned three batters and threw 47 pitches over three innings in a victory at Trinity Christian.
“I struggled a little in the beginning of the season, but by the end of the year, I was hitting better,” Smardo said. “I was able to consistently put the ball in play. I was able to get back on track by being patient and waiting for my pitch. I hope to improve on my pitching and get more time on the mound since our main pitcher graduated and there are currently only two pitchers.”
Smardo started 38 games for the Fighting Saints, drawing 10 walks over 108 at-bats to finish her sophomore campaign with a .364 on-base percentage. Smardo, who made six starts in the circle, locked down her second NAIA win on April 26, firing three frames to help St. Francis beat Siena Heights. Smardo stole seven bases on eight attempts and posted a season-best three hits against Indiana South Bend on April 12, when the RTHS alum added two RBIs in a win.
“My main goal is to pitch more and see more time on the mound while also improving my batting average,” Smardo said. “The main team goal is to win the conference and have a chance to go to nationals. The main highlight of the season was getting to know my teammates better.”
An All-Interstate 8 and Academic All-Interstate 8 player during her time at RTHS, Smardo is currently studying nursing while minoring in psychology. Her academic and career goals include earning her bachelor’s degree and working as an ER nurse, L&D nurse or a travel flight nurse.