Smethurst, Porter make Olympics

Hawaii softball pitcher Justine Smethurst and former UH standout slugger Stacey Porter were selected for Australia's Olympic softball team yesterday.

Smethurst, a junior, took the season off from the Rainbow Wahine to pursue a chance to play in the Olympics.

"I know it has been a dream of Justine's from when she was a child to play for Australia in the Olympics," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "She's worked hard the past two seasons and has developed into a stronger and more confident player who will represent her country and Hawaii well."

As a Rainbow Wahine player, she has four no-hitters, including three perfect games. She has compiled a career record of 35-21 with a 1.81 ERA.

Porter left the Hawaii program prior to her senior season to play for Australia in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Porter, who helped Australia to a silver medal at the 2004 Games, played at UH from 2001 to '03, posting a .374 career batting average with 38 home runs and 115 RBIs.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics in August will be the last Summer Games for softball.