Shanna Smith came to Portales in the summer of 2021 and is heading into her fourth season in 2024-25.
In the 2024-25 season, Smith helped guide the Greyhounds to a 30-25 record and 23-21 Lone Star Conference record. ENMU reached the LSC Postseason Tournament for the third straight year, finishing as the sixth seed. Eastern garnered seven all-conference accolades, five all-region honors and one All-American honor (Aylene Lucero – D2CCA Third Team All-American). The Greyhounds finished in the top-10 statistically in program history for batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, stolen base percentage, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks (program record), and opponent batting average, with the third most wins in a single season.
During the 2024 season, the Greyhounds went back to the postseason with a 26-26 overall record, reaching the quarterfinals of the LSC Postseason Tournament. Six different individuals received all-conference accolades, totaling seven LSC honors (Alondra Vasquez, Samantha Gutierrez, and Taighen Whitzel - First team, Mikenzey Patterson - Second Team, Marissa Rodriguez and Cecy Jurado - Third Team, Alondra Vasquez - LSC Gold Glove). Samantha Gutierrez went on to earn all-region recognition from the NFCA and D2CCA, while Taighen Whitzel was recognized to the 2024 TUCCI/NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist. ENMU earned three weekly honors during the year, including a season highlighted by a pair of top-25 wins. Eastern earned the programs first ever victory over Lubbock Christian and UT Tyler, while winning a series with Oklahoma Christian in program history. ENMU finished in the top-10 statistically in program history for batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, stolen base percentage, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks, ERA, and opponent batting average.
The 2023 season saw the Greyhounds win their most games (26) since 2008 when they totaled 28. The team advanced to the Lone Star Conference postseason tournament for the first time since 2002 and earned a postseason win for the first time since 2001. Four Hounds were named all-conference – Mikenzey Patterson (second team), Brook Leger (third team), Ashley Nickerson (third team), and Alondra Vasquez (third team). Patterson also earned second team NFCA all-region honors. Kianna Galindo, Taylor Harrison, Brook Leger, and Aylene Lucero were tabbed to the College Sports Communicators All-District team for their efforts in the classroom and on the field.
Statistically, ENMU set several high marks, including setting the record for most walks (170) and games played (56) in a single season. The team finished second in program history in fielding percentage (.963) and innings pitched (371.1). Other notable rankings for Eastern New Mexico single season school records during Smith's second year include: doubles (3rd – 83), opponent batting average (3rd - .269), sacrifice hits (5th – 46), strikeouts (250), fewest errors (5th – 60), ERA (6th – 3.71), wins (6th – 26), and shutouts (6th – 5).
During her first season, Smith helped lead the Greyhounds to a 18-30 record, finishing just outside of the LSC Postseason Tournament. The campaign was highlighted with a 8-5 win over #23 Texas A&M-Commerce, the first win over the Lions in five years. Additionally, Smith guided Lisette Urquidez and Brook Leger to all-conference recognition, with Urquidez being named to the LSC All-Freshman team and Leger garnering All-Academic Team honors.
Smith comes to Portales after spending one season as a volunteer softball coach at Appalachian State University, where she assisted in the development of infielders, outfielders, and pitchers, was responsible for bat testing and game day umpire checks, helped with field maintenance, and clipped game day and scouting film.
Prior to her time at App State, Smith was an assistant softball coach and academic liaison at Clarendon College from 2014 to 2019.
She has also held roles as a paraprofessional ESE and assistant softball coach at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida, a volunteer softball coach at Saint Mary’s College of California, and an assistant softball coach at North Carolina State University (NC State).
Smith was a four-year softball student-athlete at NC State and helped the team to an ACC Championship in 2006. She earned NFCA 1st Team All-Region honors in 2008 and was named 1st Team All-ACC in both 2007 and 2008. Smith was named NC State Rookie of the Year in 2005 and to the ACC Championship All-Tournament Team in 2006 and 2008.
Smith holds a Bachelors of Science in sport management with an emphasis in coaching from NC State.
