Nicole Smith holds her own in baseball

The 11-year-old Clackamas girl throws a no-hitter

The Clackamas Review, Jul 21, 2010 (1 Reader comment)

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WILSONVILLE – Clackamas 11-year-old Nicole Smith turned a lot of heads here on July 10.

That’s when she pitched a no-hitter in a consolation game of the Clackamas Junior Baseball Junior National County Championship Tournament.

Her Clackamas team, coached by her dad Chris Smith, defeated Sellwood 10-0 in the game, which was called after four innings because of the 10-run rule.

Nicole had six strikeouts and walked two batters in the no-hitter. Except for the first inning, when she walked two batters, Sellwood did not have a baserunner.

Nicole pitched at total of eight innings in the tournament, striking out 12 and walking three, while allowing eight hits.

Clackamas finished sixth in the tournament, losing 12-8 to second-seeded Oregon City in its first game, and losing 19-7 to top-seeded South Clackamas in the consolation semifinal.

“She’s the reason we were in the county tournament,” said Chris Smith. “She’s been on the team four years and she’s our best pitcher….

“Nicole has had a few one-hitters and I have seen plenty of one-hitters. But this is the first time in 20 years coaching and playing I have been a part of a no-hitter, win or loss.”

Chris Smith said that his daughter has recorded 263 strikeouts over the past four seasons.

“Nicole’s twin brother Alex is her catcher,” Chris Smith said. “She’ll probably stay with baseball for two more years because of the twin thing.”