Enid, OK - July 18, 2017 - By Michael Kinney
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When Danielle Smith got to Enid High, she was looking to turnaround a softball program that has been struggling. The Lady Plainsmen were coming off a season in which they tallied an 8-18 record.
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But Smith quickly realized not everything had to be changed. She had one player on the team that fit all of the characteristics she wanted her program to be about.
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In Elizabeth (Izzy) Plunkett, Smith had a go to player on and off the field.
“She is just an all-around good kid,” Smith said. “She is good in the community, works hard, will do what is asked of her. She just wants to do what’s best for the team and herself and those around her.”
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Plunkett is entering her senior season as the No. 1 pitcher for Enid. Smith will be counting on her to control the pitching circle,
But that is just a part of the responsibilities Plunkett holds for the Pacers.
“She does a good job of making sure her teammates are doing the right thing,” Smith said. “When some of them that try to get off the right path, she tries to get them back on.”
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Because Smith and the coaching staff can count on Plunkett, that sets a good example for the rest of the team.
“It gives good moral to the team. And it helps my job and my assistants job so that we don’t have to continually watch everybody,” Smith said. “We know we don’t have to make sure she is telling the kids maybe we should do it this way so we don’t get in trouble.”
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The Pacers season begins August 8 against Bartlesville. By then, Smith hopes to have her team performing like she envisions. And Plunkett is a big part of that.
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“She has done a good job, most of the kids have done a good job, at realizing most things are different with a new coach coming in,” Smith said. “I have different expectations for them. Mainly off the field. Their demeanor and actions off the field. That is the biggest thing that I stress that life is bigger than softball. She has done a good job at helping relay that message.”
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Read about Chisholm's Grant Dick the Enid Area Athlete of the Month: http://vype.com/nwoklahoma/2017/07/17/chisholms-grant-dick-is-the-farm-credit-athlete-of-the-month/
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To see more stories from VYPE NW go here: http://vype.com/nwoklahoma/
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Enid Softball Spotlight: Izzy Plunket
