Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Raider softball: Pitchers and catchers
2/9/2016 8:30:00 AM | Softball
Raiders pitchers and catchers look to have a great 2016
MURFREESBORO – The Middle Tennessee softball program, under the direction of Jeff Breeden, will get the 2016 season underway this Friday in sunny Florida. As is normally the case, the Blue Raiders season will rest squarely on the pitchers and catchers so lets take an inside look at this year's group.
Kelci Cheney will be pegged to anchor the Blue Raider pitching staff in 2016. Cheney received the bulk of the innings in the circle a year ago, as her 134.2 innings pitched were the most on the team, and she was the only Blue Raider with more than 100 innings pitched.
She had the lowest ERA of anyone returning from last season with a 3.74 and earned a record of 12-14. Cheney allowed 177 hits, 44 walks, 77 strikeouts, and only 72 of her 101 runs allowed were earned. She completed eight games, picked up two shutouts, and also earned two saves.
"We expect Cheney to be our number one pitcher in 2016," Breeden said. "She is coming off of a great fall and is one of the leaders on our team. Kelci is a competitor who enjoys throwing the ball against good teams, so look for her to throw a lot of innings this season."
Megan Chocallo returns with the second most innings pitched from a year ago at 86.1. Her ERA was 4.30, highest of the returners, but most of that came from early season struggles. Chocallo allowed 69 runs on 135 hits, walked 19 and struck out 33. Her overall record was 5-5, but she looks to improve on that mark in 2016.
"Megan was possibly our best pitcher at the end of the season last year and we expect more of that continued improvement in 2016," Breeden stated. "As the season goes and she gains confidence she should be a very good pitcher when we get into Conference USA games."
Patty Taylor is just a sophomore from Russellville, Tenn., but she brings hard work and a good arm to the team. In her freshman campaign, Taylor just got her feet wet in the circle, but she is looking to make a significant impact this season.
"Pattie has worked hard in the off season and I expect to see her innings increase in 2016," state Breeden. "Early scrimmages have proven that she can carry more of the pitching load this season."
Kristen Adkins is a freshman who is looking to make an early impact. She went 21-3 for Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, Ohio with a minuscule ERA of 0.63. Adkins was also strong at the plate hitting .587 with four home runs and 35 RBIs. Her on-field prowess earned her team MVP all four years in high school.
"Kristen is a freshman who continues to get better," Breeden shared. "She needs to take every pitching session serious and work to perfect her pitches. She will be called on a lot to handle innings in midweek games."
The person these pitchers will be throwing to this season is none other than All-Conference USA selection Morgan Harris. Harris earned first team All-C-USA honors last year as a freshman after hitting .322 with six homers and 34 RBIs. Her six round-trippers were the most on the team a year ago and her 34 steals were second most to Carlie Jenkins' 39.
Behind the plate Harris had the third highest fielding percentage on the team at .977 and was the only Blue Raider to start all 51 games, a special feat in and of itself for backstops. Harris was selected preseason All-C-USA this season and should only get better as the year progresses.
"Morgan is positioned to have a great sophomore season," Breeden said. "She hits for power and has worked hard on her throws to catch would-be base stealers. Morgan is one of the best leaders on our team and always seems to perform well in clutch situations."
The Raiders begin their season Friday at the FGCU Kickoff Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. Their first game will be at 2:45 PM central time against Big Ten foe Michigan State. It will be followed by a 5 PM meeting with the host Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. Saturday the Blue Raiders will face in-state rival Memphis and Kent State, followed by a match-up with the Illinois-Chicago Flames Sunday morning.
Check back tomorrow for more information on the Raiders infielders.
Kelci Cheney will be pegged to anchor the Blue Raider pitching staff in 2016. Cheney received the bulk of the innings in the circle a year ago, as her 134.2 innings pitched were the most on the team, and she was the only Blue Raider with more than 100 innings pitched.
She had the lowest ERA of anyone returning from last season with a 3.74 and earned a record of 12-14. Cheney allowed 177 hits, 44 walks, 77 strikeouts, and only 72 of her 101 runs allowed were earned. She completed eight games, picked up two shutouts, and also earned two saves.
"We expect Cheney to be our number one pitcher in 2016," Breeden said. "She is coming off of a great fall and is one of the leaders on our team. Kelci is a competitor who enjoys throwing the ball against good teams, so look for her to throw a lot of innings this season."
Megan Chocallo returns with the second most innings pitched from a year ago at 86.1. Her ERA was 4.30, highest of the returners, but most of that came from early season struggles. Chocallo allowed 69 runs on 135 hits, walked 19 and struck out 33. Her overall record was 5-5, but she looks to improve on that mark in 2016.
"Megan was possibly our best pitcher at the end of the season last year and we expect more of that continued improvement in 2016," Breeden stated. "As the season goes and she gains confidence she should be a very good pitcher when we get into Conference USA games."
Patty Taylor is just a sophomore from Russellville, Tenn., but she brings hard work and a good arm to the team. In her freshman campaign, Taylor just got her feet wet in the circle, but she is looking to make a significant impact this season.
"Pattie has worked hard in the off season and I expect to see her innings increase in 2016," state Breeden. "Early scrimmages have proven that she can carry more of the pitching load this season."
Kristen Adkins is a freshman who is looking to make an early impact. She went 21-3 for Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, Ohio with a minuscule ERA of 0.63. Adkins was also strong at the plate hitting .587 with four home runs and 35 RBIs. Her on-field prowess earned her team MVP all four years in high school.
"Kristen is a freshman who continues to get better," Breeden shared. "She needs to take every pitching session serious and work to perfect her pitches. She will be called on a lot to handle innings in midweek games."
The person these pitchers will be throwing to this season is none other than All-Conference USA selection Morgan Harris. Harris earned first team All-C-USA honors last year as a freshman after hitting .322 with six homers and 34 RBIs. Her six round-trippers were the most on the team a year ago and her 34 steals were second most to Carlie Jenkins' 39.
Behind the plate Harris had the third highest fielding percentage on the team at .977 and was the only Blue Raider to start all 51 games, a special feat in and of itself for backstops. Harris was selected preseason All-C-USA this season and should only get better as the year progresses.
"Morgan is positioned to have a great sophomore season," Breeden said. "She hits for power and has worked hard on her throws to catch would-be base stealers. Morgan is one of the best leaders on our team and always seems to perform well in clutch situations."
The Raiders begin their season Friday at the FGCU Kickoff Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. Their first game will be at 2:45 PM central time against Big Ten foe Michigan State. It will be followed by a 5 PM meeting with the host Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. Saturday the Blue Raiders will face in-state rival Memphis and Kent State, followed by a match-up with the Illinois-Chicago Flames Sunday morning.
Check back tomorrow for more information on the Raiders infielders.
Players Mentioned
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