The time really is flying like the wind.

Is this really Ka’ili Smith’s senior year of high school? Seemed like only a few blinks ago when she was a talented freshman All-State center fielder.

Well, saw Smith again on Thursday in a 4-1 victory over Campbell, and yes, she’s still impressive. Went 2-for-3 with a single, triple, 2 RBIs. Has a smooth swing with power to the opposite field, plus the speed to get around the bases. Also showed a great arm from center field, nearly pegging a runner going to third.

Then I realized — she’s a senior! What lucky college is she going to play for?

I guessed I missed it in the craziness of the high school sports year, but Smith actually signed her letter of intent last November to play for … Mississippi State?

I don’t follow college softball enough, but I’m sure Mississippi State is a solid program, being in the SEC and all. I was just surprised because I didn’t think that region would be where Smith would end up.

Then again, national power Tennessee had two kids from Hawai’i (Lianne Horiuchi and Anita Manuma) in its starting lineup last season. And other SEC schools — like Mississippi State — no doubt noticed.

East Carolina grabbed several of our local grads — Kaui Tom, Charina Sumner and Cristen Aona — a couple years ago. Nebraska signed Kim Fuller in 2005.

Horiuchi has since transferred to Purdue and Fuller to Missouri Valley.

In any case, it’s clear our local softball talent is now making its way Eastward. Any increased scholarship opportunities are a good sign for Hawai’i kids, so that’s a good thing. But I’m sure it’s not making things any easier for UH coach Bob Coolen, who has taken the program to new heights with mostly homegrown players and no doubt would like more.

I heard Coolen wanted Smith — who wouldn’t? — but she chose Mississippi State after a recruiting visit there.

“She felt comfortable with the players and the coaches, I think that’s what sold her,” Kapolei coach Tony Saffery said. “She also liked their facilities, and they offered her a great package.”

Softball scholarships, remember, are broken up into pieces so it is rare for someone to receive a full ride, especially a position player. Don’t know if that’s what Smith is getting, but I’m sure it’s more than just books.

Used to be some of our top local players would end up at Cal, or BYU, or Fresno State or UCLA, popular schools for Hawai’i kids in other sports or those who don’t play sports in college.

But now, it’s Tennessee, it’s East Carolina, it’s Nebraska, it’s Purdue, it’s Missouri Valley State …

Even Mississippi State.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 11th, 2008 at 12:27 am and is filed under Prep Talk. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.