Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Burgess named to C-USA Preseason Team
1/23/2020 11:15:00 AM | Softball, BRAA
Blue Raiders picked to finish sixth
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Two weeks before she begins her final season as a Blue Raider, Middle Tennessee shortstop Summer Burgess was named to Conference USA's Preseason Team, the league announced Thursday.
Additionally, the Blue Raiders were picked to finish sixth in the conference standings for the second consecutive season.
Burgess is no stranger to C-USA honors, as she was listed on the C-USA Freshman Team in 2017 and most recently was named to the All-Conference First Team last spring.
The Delray Beach, Florida native is on pace to become Middle Tennessee's all-time career leader in hits, singles and at-bats. If she stays on track throughout the spring, she'll also finish in the program's top five in runs, walks, assists, games started and games played.
"Summer's the heartbeat of our team. She does a great job in all aspects, on and off the field, and we're expecting big things from her in her senior year," MT head coach Jeff Breeden said. "She's started just about every game since she's been here, and she's already made a huge impact on this year's team and future teams."
Last season, C-USA's coaches correctly predicted that Middle Tennessee would finish sixth. However, in 2018, the Blue Raiders were picked to finish 11th before finishing the regular season sixth and winning the program's first C-USA Tournament.
"Our conference is going to be balanced from top to bottom this year. You just have to play the games one at a time, and I think it'll be anybody's game to win," Breeden added.
Middle Tennessee will start the 2020 slate with six games at the Cal State Fullerton Tournament from Feb. 6-9.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
2020 C-USA Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. North Texas (9)
2. WKU (2)
T3. Louisiana Tech (1)
T3. Marshall
5. UAB
6. Middle Tennessee
7. Southern Miss
8. Florida Atlantic
9. FIU
10. UTSA
11. UTEP
12. Charlotte
2020 Preseason Player of the Year
Lindsey Edwards, Louisiana Tech
2020 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Hope Trautwein, North Texas
2020 Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitcher: Kailee Williamson, Marshall
Pitcher: Hope Trautwein, North Texas
Pitcher: Kelsey Aikey, WKU
Catcher: Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
Catcher: Kendall Smith, WKU
Infielder: Lindsey Edwards, Louisiana Tech
Infielder: Kimmie Atienza, Louisiana Tech
Infielder: Aly Harrell, Marshall
Infielder: Summer Burgess, Middle Tennessee
Infielder: Lacy Gregory, North Texas
Infielder: Lacey Sumerlin, Southern Miss
Outfielder: Fayth Davis, Florida Atlantic
Outfielder: Mya Stevenson, Marshall
Outfielder: Katie Clark, North Texas
Outfielder: Destini Brown, Southern Miss
DP/Utility: Kasey Flores, UTEP
*an additional infielder selection was added due to a tie in voting.
Additionally, the Blue Raiders were picked to finish sixth in the conference standings for the second consecutive season.
Burgess is no stranger to C-USA honors, as she was listed on the C-USA Freshman Team in 2017 and most recently was named to the All-Conference First Team last spring.
The Delray Beach, Florida native is on pace to become Middle Tennessee's all-time career leader in hits, singles and at-bats. If she stays on track throughout the spring, she'll also finish in the program's top five in runs, walks, assists, games started and games played.
"Summer's the heartbeat of our team. She does a great job in all aspects, on and off the field, and we're expecting big things from her in her senior year," MT head coach Jeff Breeden said. "She's started just about every game since she's been here, and she's already made a huge impact on this year's team and future teams."
Last season, C-USA's coaches correctly predicted that Middle Tennessee would finish sixth. However, in 2018, the Blue Raiders were picked to finish 11th before finishing the regular season sixth and winning the program's first C-USA Tournament.
"Our conference is going to be balanced from top to bottom this year. You just have to play the games one at a time, and I think it'll be anybody's game to win," Breeden added.
Middle Tennessee will start the 2020 slate with six games at the Cal State Fullerton Tournament from Feb. 6-9.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
2020 C-USA Preseason Poll (first-place votes)
1. North Texas (9)
2. WKU (2)
T3. Louisiana Tech (1)
T3. Marshall
5. UAB
6. Middle Tennessee
7. Southern Miss
8. Florida Atlantic
9. FIU
10. UTSA
11. UTEP
12. Charlotte
2020 Preseason Player of the Year
Lindsey Edwards, Louisiana Tech
2020 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Hope Trautwein, North Texas
2020 Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitcher: Kailee Williamson, Marshall
Pitcher: Hope Trautwein, North Texas
Pitcher: Kelsey Aikey, WKU
Catcher: Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
Catcher: Kendall Smith, WKU
Infielder: Lindsey Edwards, Louisiana Tech
Infielder: Kimmie Atienza, Louisiana Tech
Infielder: Aly Harrell, Marshall
Infielder: Summer Burgess, Middle Tennessee
Infielder: Lacy Gregory, North Texas
Infielder: Lacey Sumerlin, Southern Miss
Outfielder: Fayth Davis, Florida Atlantic
Outfielder: Mya Stevenson, Marshall
Outfielder: Katie Clark, North Texas
Outfielder: Destini Brown, Southern Miss
DP/Utility: Kasey Flores, UTEP
*an additional infielder selection was added due to a tie in voting.
Players Mentioned
SS
/ 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
