Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Experience litters Raiders’ lineup
2/3/2020 2:30:00 PM | Softball
This is the second in a two-part series previewing the 2020 Middle Tennessee softball team before its first game Feb. 6. Go to RAIDER PITCHERS for our preview on the team's pitchers.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Softball fans who're all about offense should pay close attention to Middle Tennessee this season.
With 86.5% of their runs, 86.8% of their hits and 85.7% of their home run production coming back from last year, the experienced Blue Raiders will strike fear into opposing hitters from the top of the lineup to the bottom. On paper, it could be one of the most exciting lineups head coach Jeff Breeden has had in his now eight years at the helm.
"We've got maybe more team speed all the way around than we've ever had … and that could be really good for us, because we'll drive some runs in," Breeden said. "We have a great combination of speed, athleticism and some power. We'll see if we can get it all together."
Likely leading off for MT will be its only player listed on the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team, senior shortstop Summer Burgess.
Blue Raider fans are used to seeing Burgess in the lineup. The Delray Beach, Florida native has never missed a game in her career, starting every single one of Middle Tennessee's 169 games the last three years. She'll likely finish her career atop or near the top of many Blue Raider offensive and defensive categories, and led the team last season in at bats (203), batting average (.340), hits (69), runs scored (30) and assists (106).
She'll be an important piece at the top of the lineup, as will likely two- and three-hole hitters Sydney Heath (senior outfielder) and Lani Rodriguez (sophomore second baseman). Rodriguez, who started 47 games a year ago, may also split time with redshirt senior Samantha Valentine at second.
If those top-of-the-order bats can get on base with consistency like they did last season when MT was third in C-USA in hits (409), it'll be fun to watch what Jocelyn De La Cruz and Lexi Cushing can do at cleanup and in the fifth spot.
Cushing, a senior first baseman, is the Raiders' all-time greatest power hitter. She leads the program in career home runs (34) and set the single-season program home run record the last two years, blasting 15 in 2019. De La Cruz, a junior who plays on the other side of the diamond at third, led the team with 34 RBIs last season with a .410 slugging percentage, hitting six long balls and nine doubles.
"Knowing that Lexi and Jocelyn behind us are seasoned and know what they're doing does a lot for our confidence at the top," Burgess said. "It makes us want to get on even more, because we know they'll get us in. Their power is unreal."
Filling out the rest of the order will be junior left fielder Claire Smith, senior right fielder Keely McGee, freshman center fielder Kelci Hill and junior catcher Ryan King. Sophomore Mia Marinakis, freshman Kaylee Richetto and redshirt junior Kaylyn Slatter will also see their share of at bats.
Having so many pieces back in the lineup should also do wonders for Middle Tennessee in the field, since most have been at their positions for at least a year.
Last season, the Blue Raiders ranked ninth out of 12 C-USA teams in fielding percentage (.957), a number Breeden hopes improves.
"We definitely have some kids who can play, and some of our younger girls are good both at the plate and in the field," he said. "Having leaders like Summer, Lexi, Jocelyn and Keely will do a lot for us."
Middle Tennessee should feel comfortable in the field knowing it can wipe out some of its mistakes with what is looking like a very stout offense.
The old sports adage that sometimes a good defense is a great offense might fit the Blue Raiders this year. It could be a fun year at the plate, at any rate.
"We have a lot of confidence," Burgess said. "We all know where we fit in the lineup and know what we have to do to get us ahead early. It should be a fun season."
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Softball fans who're all about offense should pay close attention to Middle Tennessee this season.
With 86.5% of their runs, 86.8% of their hits and 85.7% of their home run production coming back from last year, the experienced Blue Raiders will strike fear into opposing hitters from the top of the lineup to the bottom. On paper, it could be one of the most exciting lineups head coach Jeff Breeden has had in his now eight years at the helm.
"We've got maybe more team speed all the way around than we've ever had … and that could be really good for us, because we'll drive some runs in," Breeden said. "We have a great combination of speed, athleticism and some power. We'll see if we can get it all together."
Likely leading off for MT will be its only player listed on the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team, senior shortstop Summer Burgess.
Blue Raider fans are used to seeing Burgess in the lineup. The Delray Beach, Florida native has never missed a game in her career, starting every single one of Middle Tennessee's 169 games the last three years. She'll likely finish her career atop or near the top of many Blue Raider offensive and defensive categories, and led the team last season in at bats (203), batting average (.340), hits (69), runs scored (30) and assists (106).
She'll be an important piece at the top of the lineup, as will likely two- and three-hole hitters Sydney Heath (senior outfielder) and Lani Rodriguez (sophomore second baseman). Rodriguez, who started 47 games a year ago, may also split time with redshirt senior Samantha Valentine at second.
If those top-of-the-order bats can get on base with consistency like they did last season when MT was third in C-USA in hits (409), it'll be fun to watch what Jocelyn De La Cruz and Lexi Cushing can do at cleanup and in the fifth spot.
Cushing, a senior first baseman, is the Raiders' all-time greatest power hitter. She leads the program in career home runs (34) and set the single-season program home run record the last two years, blasting 15 in 2019. De La Cruz, a junior who plays on the other side of the diamond at third, led the team with 34 RBIs last season with a .410 slugging percentage, hitting six long balls and nine doubles.
"Knowing that Lexi and Jocelyn behind us are seasoned and know what they're doing does a lot for our confidence at the top," Burgess said. "It makes us want to get on even more, because we know they'll get us in. Their power is unreal."
Filling out the rest of the order will be junior left fielder Claire Smith, senior right fielder Keely McGee, freshman center fielder Kelci Hill and junior catcher Ryan King. Sophomore Mia Marinakis, freshman Kaylee Richetto and redshirt junior Kaylyn Slatter will also see their share of at bats.
Having so many pieces back in the lineup should also do wonders for Middle Tennessee in the field, since most have been at their positions for at least a year.
Last season, the Blue Raiders ranked ninth out of 12 C-USA teams in fielding percentage (.957), a number Breeden hopes improves.
"We definitely have some kids who can play, and some of our younger girls are good both at the plate and in the field," he said. "Having leaders like Summer, Lexi, Jocelyn and Keely will do a lot for us."
Middle Tennessee should feel comfortable in the field knowing it can wipe out some of its mistakes with what is looking like a very stout offense.
The old sports adage that sometimes a good defense is a great offense might fit the Blue Raiders this year. It could be a fun year at the plate, at any rate.
"We have a lot of confidence," Burgess said. "We all know where we fit in the lineup and know what we have to do to get us ahead early. It should be a fun season."
Players Mentioned
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2B
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