Gilmer County’s Layla Smith stands in the batter’s box during a high school softball game last season in Glenville. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Wells)

GLENVILLE — The recruiting process officially came to an end on Thursday for Gilmer County High School softball player Layla Smith.

The senior Titan, who sports a 4.5 GPA and is set to end her career with nine varsity athletic letters, decided to stay close to home and play for Glenville State University and head coach Sara (Scoone) Stein.

“I didn’t think about it until like freshman year because I never thought I could until freshman year,” Smith replied of when she realized competing at the next level could be a reality.

Smith, who had 33 hits, five doubles, four homers, 33 RBIs and batted .359 as a freshman, earned second team Class A all-state honors as a sophomore when she averaged .518 with 44 hits, 11 two-baggers, a triple, five bombs and 53 runs-batted-in.

As a junior she was selected first team all-Little Kanawha Conference and was honorable mention all-state after batting .392 with 31 hits, a dozen doubles, one triple, five taters and 33 RBIs.

She also drew 23 free passes in 2024 as teams opted to often times pitch around her.

“I think it’s funny,” the Titan said of receiving intentional walks. “I don’t like getting walked.

“I’d rather be pitched to, but it’s a free base. They are scared to pitch to me if they are walking me.”

Smith is a four-year member of the volleyball team and earned three letters. The Titans were state runner-up her freshman year and also advanced to Charleston this season, but Class A is still delayed due to ongoing lawfare.

The Titan is currently waiting to find out what happens with volleyball since basketball practice started on Monday. Smith is expected to earn her second letter this winter on the hardwood.

Although currently undecided on a specific major, Smith admitted “I’m thinking about being an occupational therapist for little kids.”

Smith, who has played travel ball since around the age of 10, used to play with the Crush before competing the past few summers with the Black Diamond Express.

The Titan said she started sending out emails toward the end of her sophomore campaign and that’s when things got going in the recruiting process.

“I visited Concord, Marshall, Davis & Elkins, Salem, WVU Tech and Glenville. Salem and Glenville were official visits,” she said. “Salem talked to me for a little bit.

“I wanted to stay close to home and I really liked the facilities here compared to the others. I really just liked how the team felt here when I was on the visit, and the other places just didn’t feel right.”

Although a first baseman by trade, Smith said she was more than comfortable playing the hot corner as well.

“I always work on my hitting, like always,” admitted the Titan. “I like working on my fielding, too. I feel I can do better at fielding.”

The Titan said she had the option to stay home, especially living just 15 minutes from campus, but wanted to get the full college experience.

“I’m a little worried I’m not going to manage my time well. I think I’ll be good,” admitted Smith, who along with being treasurer of the student council is in Mu Alpha Theta as well as being a member of the National Honor Society.

Smith said she’s been playing softball since the age of 5, but competing in travel during the summer has helped the Titan hone her skills.

“I face a lot of college pitchers in travel ball,” she said. “It’s a lot different. It’s a different speed you see and the speed changes.

“It does help for spring. There are pitchers in travel ball that aren’t college pitchers and you can tell the difference between them.”

Between her time in the spring at Gilmer County and all the games she plays in during travel season, Smith said it’s allowed her to “know the game better.

“I think I can always improve. I do lessons for hitting and I go and hit softballs whenever I can. I always put in extra work. I go to lifting if I can.”

As far as expectations when she becomes a Pioneer and competes in the Mountain East Conference, Smith said “I definitely want to make an impact for the softball team and be able to play, and win a lot and win conference titles.”

A right-handed hitter, Smith replied “I just kind of picked it up when I was young and then when I realized I was decent at it I started putting in the extra work” when asked where she got her prowess for hitting nukes.

With an expected solid hoops team set to hit the floor this month, while also hoping a resolution is soon forthcoming for the Class A state volleyball tournament, Smith knows she still has a lot of hard work ahead of her.

“I’d like to thank my coaches and teammates for all the support and help they have given me,” Smith added.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com