Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Birdsong Named to Preseason All-Conference Team
1/18/2017 12:15:00 PM | Softball
Blue Raiders picked 11th in preseason poll
IRVING, TEXAS – Ahead of the 2017 season, Middle Tennessee junior Precious Birdsong was named by the Conference USA office Wednesday to the preseason All-Conference USA softball team.
The Blue Raiders' outfielder hit .347 last season in 54 games, and recorded 61 hits, 38 steals, and a .442 on-base percentage.
Head coach Jeff Breeden returns a strong set of players to the field, including Birdsong. A season ago she earned a CoSIDA Academic All-District honor and is poised to be an impact player as the Blue Raiders' leadoff batter again this year. She also looks to tear up the base paths as MT's all-time leader in stolen bases, currently with 78 in just two seasons.
Including Birdsong, Middle Tennessee returns four starters who played in at least 50 of the Raiders' 54 games last season. Danielle Munoz, Kristin Uselton and Morgan Harris will lead the infield and Austyn Whaley also returns to the infield for MT after playing in 47 games a season ago.
In the circle, the Blue Raiders will look to several newcomers to contribute, including junior transfer from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Cori Jennings. Last season, Jennings amassed 16 wins with a 3.51 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 32 appearances.
Returning to the pitching staff is Megan Chocallo and Pattie Ruth Taylor.
The Raiders are picked to finish 11th in the conference this season but will strive to exceed that mark and make their first Conference USA tournament.
Middle Tennessee will begin the season at the Georgia Southern Tournament in Statesboro, Ga. on Feb. 10-12. The season opener will be against Tennessee on Friday, Feb. 10 with the home opener following on Wednesday, March 1 against Austin Peay.
The C-USA preseason poll and all-conference teams were voted on by the league's coaches.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitcher: Kylee Hanson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Pitcher: Amanda Wilson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Pitcher: Jordan Dixon, Marshall, Sr.
Catcher: Taylor McCord, Marshall, Jr.
Catcher: Alex Miller, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Infielder: Stephanie Texeira, FIU, Sr.
Infielder: Morgan Zerkle, Marshall, Sr.
Infielder: Kelli Schkade, North Texas, Sr.
Infielder: Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Infielder: Courtney Clayton, UTEP, Jr.
Outfielder: Madisyn Palmer, Florida Atlantic, So.
Outfielder: Shaelynn Braxton, Marshall, Sr.
Outfielder: Precious Birdsong, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
Outfielder: Joanna Fallen, UAB, Sr.
DP/Utility: Kaitlyn Ryder, UTEP, Jr.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Florida Atlantic (10)
2. UAB
3. Marshall (1)
4. Louisiana Tech
5. Southern Miss
6. FIU
7. UTEP
8. UTSA
9. Charlotte
10. WKU
11. Middle Tennessee
12. North Texas
2017 Preseason Player of the Year
Morgan Zerkle, Marshall, Sr.
2017 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Kylee Hanson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
The Blue Raiders' outfielder hit .347 last season in 54 games, and recorded 61 hits, 38 steals, and a .442 on-base percentage.
Head coach Jeff Breeden returns a strong set of players to the field, including Birdsong. A season ago she earned a CoSIDA Academic All-District honor and is poised to be an impact player as the Blue Raiders' leadoff batter again this year. She also looks to tear up the base paths as MT's all-time leader in stolen bases, currently with 78 in just two seasons.
Including Birdsong, Middle Tennessee returns four starters who played in at least 50 of the Raiders' 54 games last season. Danielle Munoz, Kristin Uselton and Morgan Harris will lead the infield and Austyn Whaley also returns to the infield for MT after playing in 47 games a season ago.
In the circle, the Blue Raiders will look to several newcomers to contribute, including junior transfer from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Cori Jennings. Last season, Jennings amassed 16 wins with a 3.51 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 32 appearances.
Returning to the pitching staff is Megan Chocallo and Pattie Ruth Taylor.
The Raiders are picked to finish 11th in the conference this season but will strive to exceed that mark and make their first Conference USA tournament.
Middle Tennessee will begin the season at the Georgia Southern Tournament in Statesboro, Ga. on Feb. 10-12. The season opener will be against Tennessee on Friday, Feb. 10 with the home opener following on Wednesday, March 1 against Austin Peay.
The C-USA preseason poll and all-conference teams were voted on by the league's coaches.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitcher: Kylee Hanson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Pitcher: Amanda Wilson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Pitcher: Jordan Dixon, Marshall, Sr.
Catcher: Taylor McCord, Marshall, Jr.
Catcher: Alex Miller, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Infielder: Stephanie Texeira, FIU, Sr.
Infielder: Morgan Zerkle, Marshall, Sr.
Infielder: Kelli Schkade, North Texas, Sr.
Infielder: Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Infielder: Courtney Clayton, UTEP, Jr.
Outfielder: Madisyn Palmer, Florida Atlantic, So.
Outfielder: Shaelynn Braxton, Marshall, Sr.
Outfielder: Precious Birdsong, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
Outfielder: Joanna Fallen, UAB, Sr.
DP/Utility: Kaitlyn Ryder, UTEP, Jr.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Florida Atlantic (10)
2. UAB
3. Marshall (1)
4. Louisiana Tech
5. Southern Miss
6. FIU
7. UTEP
8. UTSA
9. Charlotte
10. WKU
11. Middle Tennessee
12. North Texas
2017 Preseason Player of the Year
Morgan Zerkle, Marshall, Sr.
2017 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Kylee Hanson, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
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