Softball savvy

St. Vincent de Paul seventh-grader Ella Smith (pictured) rounds a base in a recent softball game. She has played softball since kindergarten, and her 12U West University Fury team won first place during the regular season. Ella was also a member of the 12U West University Wave team, where she played left field and shortstop and led the team in triples. When she is not on the softball field, you can find Ella on the basketball court, where she started on the St. Vincent de Paul eighth-grade team as a sixth grader. She also runs track and is playing volleyball for the first time this fall. Ella loves to compete and hang out with her teammates, and she hopes to play softball in high school.

Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at [email protected]. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.