University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Softball 2015 Preview: Outfield
Feb 04, 2015 | Softball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis softball team’s outfield is where the team finds its depth.
The Tigers return most of its starters. They lonely lose Jaye Smith and Ijiah Hargrove, who combined for 43 starts in right field.
That’s not to say the outfield is full of upperclassman. The 2015 Tiger outfield is comprised of a senior, junior, two sophomores and a freshman. However, for what the group lacks in age, it makes up in experience. Lindsay Crowdus and Wheeler Hill combined to start every game in center field, and alongside Hannah Harrell and Breslin Perry, the four started every game in left field as well.
Hill said the experience of playing together has helped the outfield improve quicker than it has in years past.
“Before, we’ve had more newcomers, so we’ve had to breakdown how we do things,” Hill said. ”Now we have more veterans showing them how we do it faster, that way we don’t have to work on those things so long. We’re just getting to where we need to be faster, rather than maybe a few games into the season.”
Hill, a junior, started 42 games in left field and nine in center in 2014. She had a .968 fielding percentage, making only three errors out of 93 chances. At the plate she hit .256 and knocked in 6 RBIs. As one of the upperclassmen on the team, Hill is expected to bring a level of maturity to the outfield, but she said all of the outfielders have been focused thus far.
“The whole thing about this year is that we’re working on buying in,” Hill said. “So whether it’s in the outfield or with Coach Roya (St. Clair), what she’s telling us to do, we’re buying into everything she’s saying. Our throws are looking really good which, in previous years at the beginning they’ve been off and on. This year we’re like, ‘dang, they’re looking good. We’re looking good.’ We’re not making errors like we do in early season.”
Crowdus returns to the Tigers after a strong freshman campaign. She started 47 games in centerfield and five in left and was the best hitter on the team. She finished with a .349 average alongside seven triples, which was third best in the country. She added six doubles and 10 RBI. Coach Natalie Poole said she expects Crowdus to lead in the outfield.
Harrell is another Tiger expected to make a big impact in the outfield. A redshirt sophomore, she saw her season cut short through injury a year ago. She was able to make 11 starts and 15 appearances. In her last full season, Harrell was selected to the 2013 Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
“She was injured part of the season last year, but when she got injured she was doing really well and was a starter,” Poole said of Harrell. “Honestly, while we might still be somewhat young, we still have some great talent in the outfield. I think we’re going to have a lot of speed in the outfield.”
Breslin Perry is the senior member of the Tigers outfield. She started six games in right field and two games in left a year ago. She has worked hard in the offseason and Poole said she’s seen a lot of improvement from the outfielder.
“Right now she’s swinging the bat really well,” Poole said. “She’s got a nice, strong stick. We expect some maturity – she does a very good job of being vocal out there on the field. And she does a good job of communicating with our other outfielders.”
The lone newcomer to the Tiger outfield is Kyler Trosclair. A Houma, La. native, Trosclair was a three-time All-State, three-time All-Region and four-time All-District selection. She led her high school team to its first state tournament appearance since 1991, and batted .600 with three homeruns her senior season.
Despite the experience in front of Trosclair, Poole said she believes Trosclair will be able to contribute for the Tigers, even if it’s not always in the outfield.
“She’s a freshman, but plays the outfield with a lot of maturity,” Poole said. “She also plays some infield, so if we get a little shallow in the middle, she plays shortstop. She came in a little bit in the fall and did some of that. She’s a fierce competitor and I think she’ll do a really good job for us.”
That concludes GoTigersGo.Com’s position previews. Opening day is right around the corner as Memphis travels to Baton Rouge, La. for the Tiger Classic. The UofM will open the season against host LSU on Feb. 6.
