Smith, De La Cruz, and McBride as MaxPreps/NFCA National H.S. Players of the Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior infielder Madison Smith (Sand Rock (Leesburg, Ala.) H.S.), junior pitcher/first baseman Krystal De La Cruz (Eagle Pass (Eagle Pass, Texas) H.S.) and senior pitcher/first baseman Dallas McBride (Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.)H.S.) have been selected as the MaxPreps/NFCA National High School Players of the Week for games played over March 17-23.

South Region

Smith powered the Wildcats' offense last week, batting .813 (13-for-16) with nine runs scored, two stolen bases, five doubles, a triple, three HR's and 13 RBIs over five contests. Included among her impressive weekly efforts were a 3-for-4 performance with two tallies, two doubles and a pair of RBIs during a 9-3 win over Gaston (Ala.), and hitting for the cycle while going a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs and two RBIs in a 15-0 rout of Gaylesville (Ala.). For the season Smith is hitting at a .537 clip with nine two-baggers, a triple, five HR's and 18 RBIs.

South Central Region

In what was a relatively quiet week throughout the South Central Region, De La Cruz helped the Eagles to a pair of victories, going 2-0 from the circle with a 0.64 ERA and eight strikeouts over 11 innings, while hitting .667 (4-for-6) with a double and a RBI. During a 15-0 rout of Alexander (Texas), she tossed a one-hitter with three K's while also going 2-for-3 at the dish. Thus far in 2014, De La Cruz is 15-3 overall with a 1.83 ERA and 73 strikeouts over 99.2 frames, while hitting .328 with three doubles, a triple and 12 RBIs.

West Region

McBride helped the Firebirds go 6-1 overall last week, batting at a .688 clip (11-for-16) with two doubles, four HR's and a staggering 16 RBIs, while also striking out 36 batters over 27.2 innings of work. During a 12-7 victory over Canyon Del Oro (Ariz.), she was 2-for-3 at the dish with two HR's and six RBIs, while in a 9-5 triumph versus Gilbert (Ariz.) she was 3-for-4 with two big flies and four RBIs. She is currently hitting .452 for the year with five doubles, seven HR's and 26 RBIs, and has struck out 86 over 62.2 frames from the circle.

MaxPreps.com, the official high school statistical provider of the NFCA, provides all statistics for the NFCA High School Player of the Week award. To nominate a player for the award, the coach must enter his or her athlete's game stats into MaxPreps.com by Sunday evening to be eligible for that week's award.

The MaxPreps/NFCA High School Players of the Week will be announced on NFCA.org every Monday during the spring season, with one representative chosen from each of five separate high school regions (if there are enough nominations to consider). During the fall campaign, just a single player will be selected representing all participating regions.

MaxPreps is a free stat tool that is available to high school coaches across the country and is one of the most recognized and respected high school athletics web sites on the internet. Coaches who enter their team's stats on Max Preps will not only be nominating their players for this award, but they will be getting their team's information out to thousands of high school sports fans, as well as college coaches across the country.

To obtain a coach's login, please contact: kwagner@maxpreps.com or call (800) 329-7324 x5153.