Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Birdsong Named to Preseason All-Conference Team
1/18/2018 1:05:00 PM | Softball
IRVING, TEXAS – Ahead of the 2018 season, Middle Tennessee senior Precious Birdsong was named to the preseason All-Conference USA softball team. This is Birdsong's second consecutive preseason All-Conference honor.
"Precious being named to the preseason all-conference team is a well-deserved honor for her," said Head Coach Jeff Breeden. "She has had a great career here with us and had a great junior year last year that set her up for this award. We are expecting huge things from her this year both offensively and defensively. Precious exemplifies everything that a student athlete should here at Middle Tennessee and she is a great ambassador for the university and for our softball program. We are honored that she was recognized on the preseason All-Conference team."
Birdsong had a record-breaking junior season in 2017. The Blue Raiders' outfielder hit a single season record .443 last season in 45 games. She also now stands as the career leader in triples (10), stolen bases (101), and stolen bases attempted (118). Birdsong recorded 62 hits, 23 steals, and a .494 on-base percentage in 2017 as the Blue Raiders' number two batter in the lineup.
Birdsong earned other recognitions in 2017 as she was the first Middle Tennessee player to be named to the NFCA All-Region Mideast First Team. Birdsong also received conference recognition as an All-Conference USA First Team outfielder.
The Raiders are again picked to finish 11th in the conference but will strive to exceed that mark and make their first Conference USA tournament.
Middle Tennessee will begin the season by traveling to Los Angeles, Calif. to participate in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. The Raiders will square off with Cal Poly and UCLA on Friday, Feb. 9 to open the season. MT's home opener is set for Feb. 28 when Austin Peay comes to town.
The C-USA preseason poll and all-conference teams were voted on by the league's coaches.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitcher: Shannon Saile, FIU, So.
Pitcher: Haley Wiseman, Charlotte, Sr.
Pitcher: Krystal De La Cruz, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
Catcher: Taylor McCord, Marshall, Sr.
Catcher: Alex Miller, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Catcher: Marilyn Rizzato, Louisiana Tech, So.
Infielder: Haley Pace, Charlotte, Sr.
Infielder: Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Infielder: Elicia D'Orazio, Marshall, Sr.
Infielder: Cortney Smith, UTEP, Jr.
Infielder: Grace Beatty, Charlotte, Sr.
Outfielder: Precious Birdsong, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
Outfielder: Jackie Schoff, FIU, Jr.
Outfielder: Madisyn Palmer, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Outfielder: Morgan Turkoly, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DP/Utility: Lacy Gregory, North Texas, So.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Louisiana Tech (4)
2. FIU (7)
3. Florida Atlantic
4. Charlotte
5. Marshall
6. UAB
7. WKU
8. North Texas
9. Southern Miss
10. UTSA
11. Middle Tennessee
12. UTEP
2017 Preseason Player of the Year
Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
2017 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Shannon Saile, FIU, So.
"Precious being named to the preseason all-conference team is a well-deserved honor for her," said Head Coach Jeff Breeden. "She has had a great career here with us and had a great junior year last year that set her up for this award. We are expecting huge things from her this year both offensively and defensively. Precious exemplifies everything that a student athlete should here at Middle Tennessee and she is a great ambassador for the university and for our softball program. We are honored that she was recognized on the preseason All-Conference team."
Birdsong had a record-breaking junior season in 2017. The Blue Raiders' outfielder hit a single season record .443 last season in 45 games. She also now stands as the career leader in triples (10), stolen bases (101), and stolen bases attempted (118). Birdsong recorded 62 hits, 23 steals, and a .494 on-base percentage in 2017 as the Blue Raiders' number two batter in the lineup.
Birdsong earned other recognitions in 2017 as she was the first Middle Tennessee player to be named to the NFCA All-Region Mideast First Team. Birdsong also received conference recognition as an All-Conference USA First Team outfielder.
The Raiders are again picked to finish 11th in the conference but will strive to exceed that mark and make their first Conference USA tournament.
Middle Tennessee will begin the season by traveling to Los Angeles, Calif. to participate in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. The Raiders will square off with Cal Poly and UCLA on Friday, Feb. 9 to open the season. MT's home opener is set for Feb. 28 when Austin Peay comes to town.
The C-USA preseason poll and all-conference teams were voted on by the league's coaches.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitcher: Shannon Saile, FIU, So.
Pitcher: Haley Wiseman, Charlotte, Sr.
Pitcher: Krystal De La Cruz, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
Catcher: Taylor McCord, Marshall, Sr.
Catcher: Alex Miller, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Catcher: Marilyn Rizzato, Louisiana Tech, So.
Infielder: Haley Pace, Charlotte, Sr.
Infielder: Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Infielder: Elicia D'Orazio, Marshall, Sr.
Infielder: Cortney Smith, UTEP, Jr.
Infielder: Grace Beatty, Charlotte, Sr.
Outfielder: Precious Birdsong, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
Outfielder: Jackie Schoff, FIU, Jr.
Outfielder: Madisyn Palmer, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Outfielder: Morgan Turkoly, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DP/Utility: Lacy Gregory, North Texas, So.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Louisiana Tech (4)
2. FIU (7)
3. Florida Atlantic
4. Charlotte
5. Marshall
6. UAB
7. WKU
8. North Texas
9. Southern Miss
10. UTSA
11. Middle Tennessee
12. UTEP
2017 Preseason Player of the Year
Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
2017 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Shannon Saile, FIU, So.
Players Mentioned
OF
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