By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University junior pitcher Jade Smith (Chico, CA/Chico HS) has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts as the Bearcats swept four games from University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28.

Smith pitched in all four games and earned a 3-0 record. She threw a total of 15 innings and allowed just one run for a 0.47 earned run average. She recorded 4 strikeouts -- one in each game -- and allowed only one walk.

The Bearcats defeated the Loggers 2-1 and 8-0 on the run rule in six innings on Saturday. Willamette outscored Puget Sound 8-3 and 8-2 on Sunday. Smith was the winning pitcher in each of the first three games, and pitched the first two innings in the final game of the series. She earned six assists on defense.

 Willamette is 4-0 on the season and 4-0 in the NWC. The Bearcats will play four games at Linfield College this coming weekend. WU and the Wildcats will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 5, followed by another doubleheader on Sunday, March 6. Action is scheduled to begin each day at 12 p.m. (PST).