BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The 2024 CAA pitcher of the year originally had to travel four hours north before she realized that home was just a short drive south.
 
The lure of going off to college took Isabella Smith to James Madison University for one injury-marred year.  However, she rediscovered her passion for the sport and found her home when she transferred to a place where she had attended overnight camp and immediately felt at ease.
 
"I instantly felt at home here," said Smith, who has helped the Camels win five trophies over her first three seasons at Campbell.  "Coach Sho (Sharonda McDonald-Kelley) really helped me fall back in love with the game again and Coach (Trena) Prater and her staff have just elevated that to another level."
 
The generosity of Fighting Camel fans, alumni, family, and friends truly makes a difference in the lives of student-athletes at Campbell University.  Through the newly created Women's Empowerment Fund, the Fighting Camel Club's goal is to make that experience even better, specifically for our female student-athletes.  To join the Fighting Camel Club, click here.
 
Smith believes that the value of an athletics or academic scholarship goes well beyond the financial aspect.
 
"We're valued, they see our worth, not only on the field, but in school because I do also have an academic scholarship," Smith said of how it feels to be awarded a scholarship.  "It benefits people who are very good at what they do, but their family may not be able to afford a school like Campbell, but they want to compete at a high level.  (A scholarship) gives them that opportunity.  It allows kids to live out their dreams.  When the coaches gave me my offer, they really saw what I'm capable of, what I could be for the team, the campus.   Now, I get to perform and live up to their expectations."
 
Finding a home
After spending the 2021 season at JMU in an immobilizing boot while nursing a stress fracture in her left (plant) leg, Smith was ready to give up the game.  However, Mike Mertz, her coach with the Virginia Glory travel team, encouraged her to continue her career.
 
And are the fans in Buies Creek glad that she did!
 
Welcomed back to Campbell, even though she initially chose JMU over the Fighting Camel program, Smith helped the Camels to a second-straight Big South regular season and tournament title in 2022.  One year later, after Prater was hired as head coach following the departure of McDonald-Kelley for Michigan State, Smith was named Big South pitcher of the year, first team all-conference and to the all-tournament team as the Camels again claimed both trophies.
 
"The campus feels like home, that genuinely is true," said Smith.  "Everybody says hi, it's always a smile and a wave.  The support from the top (administration) and the support from other coaches and other teams really does feel like family."
 
This season, she was a unanimous choice as pitcher of the year in the Coastal Athletic Association and hurled the Camels to a 22-5 record and the regular season title.  In the CAA tournament final, Campbell fell only three outs shy of making a fourth-straight NCAA postseason trip.
 
Over the past three seasons, Campbell has won two-thirds (.665) of its games overall while fashioning a 116-58-1 record.  In league play, the Camels are even better (58-16) – winning more than three-quarters (.784) of their contests.
 
Smith has played a large role in that success.  In only three seasons, she has already set school career records for victories (70) and strikeouts (638).  As a red-shirt sophomore in 2023, she established program single season records for wins (29) and Ks (241). 
 
In her first year competing in the CAA, Smith led the league in wins (26) and shutouts (9), while fanning 238 batters in 206 innings.
 
However, Smith does not automatically equate success with honors or records.
 
"It's not just a number. It's not just the statistics. It's having a healthy environment," said Smith.  "If you asked (one of our coaches) how they're successful, it's their team is happy, their team loves each other, their team is a family. When you care about the team culture first, you're going to be statistically successful on the field."
 
A deeper connection to the Creek
In her first three seasons in Buies Creek, Smith has not only helped the Camels add to their collection of trophies, but she has also already etched her name firmly at the top of the Campbell Softball record book.
 
However, her ties to the University are deeper than most realize.
 
"For me it goes a little bit further than just the numbers.  My dad (Jay Newton) passed away two months before I was born, and he went to Campbell and a lot of people don't know that," said Smith.  "I've been coming to Campbell for softball camps since I was very young. It's just a full circle moment. To me, wearing the Campbell softball jersey is more than just representing the school. It comes back to I feel like this is where God placed me to be because my dad went here.  I never got to meet him, so this feels like a part that I still have of him.  Because I'm genuinely happy here and the coaches and administration have created an amazing environment, I'm able to be successful.  I'm just having fun, and the numbers are coming through it."
 
Overcoming expectations
Introduced to the game by her cousin Grace Fisher, Smith started playing t-ball at three and taking pitching lessons around the age of six or seven. She developed an enduring love for the sport – one that was encouraged by the time and effort put in and sacrifices made by her stepfather (Mark Smith), who she refers to as her dad, and her mother Samantha.
 
"I told my dad this is something I really want to do, and he said, 'Okay as long as you're willing to put in the work, we'll do the lessons, we'll drive wherever we need to drive,'" said Smith.
 
She also overcame skepticism by some observers who thought that she would not be able to continue playing beyond the club or rec level.
 
"I was the most unathletic person on the team.  I played more because I enjoyed it, not because I was good," said Smith.  "I was always told I wouldn't make it far because I wasn't an athletic kid."
 
Balancing act
In addition to the in- and off- season training required of a Division I athlete, Smith tackles a challenging academic load as a biology/pre-dental major.  Her in-season schedule includes team travel that took her as far as Long Island, N.Y. during the 2024 season.
 
Balancing academic responsibilities with competition, practice and other demands is a requirement, not optional.
 
"Not balancing my schedule isn't an option.  If you fall behind, you're not going to be able to reach the goals you've set for yourself.  You have to make the time (to prioritize studies)," said Smith.  "When we have down time, long bus rides, I know I have to use those times to get the work done.  I also started meal prepping for the week every Sunday night.  I wanted to eat healthier, and it saves money too."
 
Learning from her coaches and mentors
Smith admits that she has gained life skills not only from Coach Prater, but from her pitching coach Erin Arevalo as well as Athletics Director Hannah Bazemore and recently retired Senior Associate A.D. Wanda Watkins. 
 
"I plan to go to dental school, become an orthodontist and open my own practice," she said.  "Learning from the leadership skills Coach Prater, Coach Wanda and Mrs. Bazemore have shown, I want to make my workplace enjoyable, healthy, where people genuinely come to work, because if they do, they're going to treat the patients well, which is going to bring more patients in and keep them coming back.  Creating a healthy culture will ultimately create a successful practice."
 
One more year
With all that she has accomplished so far, it's almost hard to realize that Isabella Smith has another year of eligibility at Campbell – one where she may continue to grow in her academic and athletic pursuits and further add to the team's trophy case and record book.  But for a right-handed pitcher who was told that she would not be good enough to play college softball, the opportunity goes beyond honors and personal achievements.
 
"I get to play the game I've been loving since I was six, not many people have that, and I get my school paid for while I'm at it," said Smith.  "All glory to God.  It's huge that I've been given the opportunities I have, but I'll continue to work hard."