Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raider softball: Outfielders and DPs
2/11/2016 9:00:00 AM | Softball
Precious Birdsong hopes to 'steal' a C-USA Tournament spot for MT
MURFREESBORO – Speed is a big part of a softball team, and having good speed can make the difference between winning a championship, or sitting at home in May and June.
Middle Tennessee has great speed in the person of Precious Birdsong. Birdsong was second in Conference USA last season with 40 stolen bases on 45 attempts as no other Blue Raider had more than eight stolen bases. In true leadoff fashion she hit .359 with no home runs and 22 RBIs, but her slugging percentage was .484. In part because of a team-high 27 walks, Birdsong's on base percentage was also a team-high .462, allowing her to steal those 40 bags.
In the field, Birdsong patrolled centerfield with the grace of a gazelle, earning the third highest fielding percentage at .977 on only two errors. Birdsong will be the anchor in the outfield in center, and most likely will be this year's leadoff hitter again, but is still looking to improve.
"Precious is a very talented base stealer," Head Coach Jeff Breeden said. "She has also worked hard on her strength and will be able to swing away and generate RBIs in 2016. We are looking for great things from her."
Birdsong will be flanked on her right in left field by Deja Portillo. Portillo is a freshman from Norwalk, California who hit .357 as a senior for Gahr High School and was named 2015 Female Scholar of the Year. Getting on base is a priority to Portillo, as she holds her high school's record for walks, and tied her school's record for stolen bases and runs scored. Portillo is considered a slapper from the left side, which means she's always looking to make contact and get on base.
"Portillo is a freshman slapper who makes a lot of plays," Breeden stated. "Deja is a gamer and thrives in clutch situations."
Right field looks to be another platooned position as Kirstyn Cuccia and Lauren Payne will share time there. Cuccia is another Murfreesboro native who batted .415 with two homers, seven doubles, three triples and 14 RBIs as a senior at Blackman High School. Cuccia earned offensive MVP honors three times and was a defensive MVP once in high school and will bring some good power to the Blue Raider lineup.
Payne is another slapper for the Raiders who is good defensively as well. This will be the junior's first season in blue and white as the Mt. Juliet native is a transfer from Volunteer State Community College. At Vol State, Payne hit .345 with 44 stolen bases and two home runs in two seasons and looks to bring more versatility to the MT lineup as she is another slap hitter.
"Kirstyn has had a great early spring," Breeden said. "She is working extremely hard and is earning playing time. [Cuccia] is a lefty power hitter who throws her body around to make plays. Payne is a lefty slapper who uses her speed to get on base. With Lauren and Precious playing side by side in the outfield, there should not be any balls falling in the right-center gap."
Three Blue Raiders could see time in the Designated Player role this season, beginning with Lauren Riddell. Last season, Riddell played in 29 games and hit .263 in 57 at bats. Riddell earned two doubles, a home run and six RBIs. The three extra base hits helped improve her slugging percentage to .351, and her 12 walks helped her on base percentage to be nearly .400.
Kristen Adkins is a versatile freshman from Powell, Ohio who will see significant time in the circle, as well as at the plate. Adkins hit .587 with four home runs and 35 RBIs in high school and if she can have that kind of presence at the plate this season, she will help the Blue Raider lineup immensely.
When Megan Griffith isn't playing third base, she will likely fill the DP role. Griffith hit .243 last season in 39 games and earned 25 hits, six doubles, one home run and 20 RBIs. Griffith's slugging percentage was .330 and will need to provide a great RBI threat to earn the spot permanently.
"Each of these players will have an opportunity to hit for us in 2016," Breeden stated. "We are looking for high power number from these players as we will need extra base hits and RBIs from them all year."
Middle Tennessee will open their season not far from the beach in Fort Myers, Fla. at the FGCU Kickoff Classic. They will begin the tournament Friday at 2:45pm central time as they have drawn a match-up with the Big Ten's Michigan State Spartans. The Raiders will take on the host FGCU Eagles at 5pm central Friday before playing in-state rival Memphis and Kent State Saturday. Sunday's action concludes the tournament with a game against the UIC Flames at 8am central time.
Check out this link for live stats and other game information: http://fgcuathletics.com/sports/2016/2/2/2016_kickoff_classic.aspx
Middle Tennessee has great speed in the person of Precious Birdsong. Birdsong was second in Conference USA last season with 40 stolen bases on 45 attempts as no other Blue Raider had more than eight stolen bases. In true leadoff fashion she hit .359 with no home runs and 22 RBIs, but her slugging percentage was .484. In part because of a team-high 27 walks, Birdsong's on base percentage was also a team-high .462, allowing her to steal those 40 bags.
In the field, Birdsong patrolled centerfield with the grace of a gazelle, earning the third highest fielding percentage at .977 on only two errors. Birdsong will be the anchor in the outfield in center, and most likely will be this year's leadoff hitter again, but is still looking to improve.
"Precious is a very talented base stealer," Head Coach Jeff Breeden said. "She has also worked hard on her strength and will be able to swing away and generate RBIs in 2016. We are looking for great things from her."
Birdsong will be flanked on her right in left field by Deja Portillo. Portillo is a freshman from Norwalk, California who hit .357 as a senior for Gahr High School and was named 2015 Female Scholar of the Year. Getting on base is a priority to Portillo, as she holds her high school's record for walks, and tied her school's record for stolen bases and runs scored. Portillo is considered a slapper from the left side, which means she's always looking to make contact and get on base.
"Portillo is a freshman slapper who makes a lot of plays," Breeden stated. "Deja is a gamer and thrives in clutch situations."
Right field looks to be another platooned position as Kirstyn Cuccia and Lauren Payne will share time there. Cuccia is another Murfreesboro native who batted .415 with two homers, seven doubles, three triples and 14 RBIs as a senior at Blackman High School. Cuccia earned offensive MVP honors three times and was a defensive MVP once in high school and will bring some good power to the Blue Raider lineup.
Payne is another slapper for the Raiders who is good defensively as well. This will be the junior's first season in blue and white as the Mt. Juliet native is a transfer from Volunteer State Community College. At Vol State, Payne hit .345 with 44 stolen bases and two home runs in two seasons and looks to bring more versatility to the MT lineup as she is another slap hitter.
"Kirstyn has had a great early spring," Breeden said. "She is working extremely hard and is earning playing time. [Cuccia] is a lefty power hitter who throws her body around to make plays. Payne is a lefty slapper who uses her speed to get on base. With Lauren and Precious playing side by side in the outfield, there should not be any balls falling in the right-center gap."
Three Blue Raiders could see time in the Designated Player role this season, beginning with Lauren Riddell. Last season, Riddell played in 29 games and hit .263 in 57 at bats. Riddell earned two doubles, a home run and six RBIs. The three extra base hits helped improve her slugging percentage to .351, and her 12 walks helped her on base percentage to be nearly .400.
Kristen Adkins is a versatile freshman from Powell, Ohio who will see significant time in the circle, as well as at the plate. Adkins hit .587 with four home runs and 35 RBIs in high school and if she can have that kind of presence at the plate this season, she will help the Blue Raider lineup immensely.
When Megan Griffith isn't playing third base, she will likely fill the DP role. Griffith hit .243 last season in 39 games and earned 25 hits, six doubles, one home run and 20 RBIs. Griffith's slugging percentage was .330 and will need to provide a great RBI threat to earn the spot permanently.
"Each of these players will have an opportunity to hit for us in 2016," Breeden stated. "We are looking for high power number from these players as we will need extra base hits and RBIs from them all year."
Middle Tennessee will open their season not far from the beach in Fort Myers, Fla. at the FGCU Kickoff Classic. They will begin the tournament Friday at 2:45pm central time as they have drawn a match-up with the Big Ten's Michigan State Spartans. The Raiders will take on the host FGCU Eagles at 5pm central Friday before playing in-state rival Memphis and Kent State Saturday. Sunday's action concludes the tournament with a game against the UIC Flames at 8am central time.
Check out this link for live stats and other game information: http://fgcuathletics.com/
Players Mentioned
P/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF/C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
2B/OF
/ Softball
1B
/ SoftballFacility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
MTSU Softball vs WKU Recap 4/11-13/25
Monday, April 14
MTSU Softball vs WKU Recap 4/11-13/25 2025
Monday, April 14
