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Gatorade 2025 - 2026: Player of the Year

Softball - Texas

Gatorade Player of the year

Ella Kate 'EK' Smith

Right-handed pitcher/shortstop
KATY HS
KATY, TEXAS
SENIOR
Height: 5-FOOT-10
Press Release

Peak Performance

.628

Batting Average

51

RBI

21

Home Runs

52

Runs Scored
“What makes her tough in the circle—besides her God-given ability to throw great pitches—is that she’s a top-tier competitor. She competes every pitch, every play. I told people when she was a sophomore that when she becomes a senior, it doesn’t matter what level of talent she has around her, she will win a state championship because she makes others around her better.”
Kelly Bembry
Head Coach - Alvin High

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-10 senior shortstop and right-handed pitcher led the Tigers (39-5) to the Class 6A Division 2 state championship this past season. Smith batted .628 with 57 RBI, 21 home runs and 52 runs scored, compiling a .694 OBP and a 1.398 slugging percentage for an OPS of 2.092. Ranked as the nation’s No. 2 prospect in her class by Perfect Game, she also compiled a record of 13-1 in the circle with a 1.88 ERA, striking out 121 batters in 67 innings, an average of 1.8 strikeouts per frame. She helped Team USA win the gold medal at the U18 WBSC World Cup Finals last fall.

Academic Achievement

Smith has maintained a 4.33 weighted GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play softball at the University of Oklahoma this fall.

Exemplary Character

A member of the Katy chapter of the National Honor Society, Smith has volunteered locally at the Houston Food Bank and at Davidson Elementary. She has also donated her time to multiple youth softball camps.