NEDERLAND — Hannah Smith has been a mainstay in the Nederland Bulldogs softball lineup.

Coach Will Mallette said Wednesday Smith has been the only player since he has been at Nederland to never miss a game.

Smith’s productivity and experience paid off Tuesday as she signed a National Letter of Intent to Baylor.

“It’s real exciting,” the Nederland center fielder said. “I have been working for this since I was real young. I started playing when I was four.”

Smith has been committed to Baylor since she was a sophomore. Baylor went 45-14 in 2016 and lost to Oregon in the NCAA Regionals.

She finished with a .424 batting average last year with 53 hits, 12 doubles, two homers, 18 RBI, 46 runs and only nine strike outs in 125 at bats.

“I never thought this day would come,” Smith said. “I always had Baylor in my mind since about eighth grade. It never seemed to work out and then suddenly I came in their sites and it happened so fast.

“When they offered me I was told I would show people what playing for Baylor is all about. That has been in my mind because I wanted to show people what playing for Baylor is all about.”

Mallette is glad he has one more season with Smith on the roster because he has not had to worry about who he is going to plug into center field for three years.

“You have a center fielder for three years who is going to hit in the top three of your hitters,” Mallette said of Smith. “She is as good if not better than any outfielder that I have ever coached. It means so much to know you have somebody out there who is a fixture.

“Since I have been here, this is the third Division I player we have had sign and she has the potential to be the best one yet. She is a five-tool player. You don’t have to go coach her out there. She is going to perform no matter what.”

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Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe