Oklahoma State University Athletics
2016 Cowgirl Softball Position Previews: Utility
January 04, 2016 | Cowgirl Softball
STILLWATER – Cowgirl softball adds a new dimension of depth to its 2016 lineup of group of utility standouts, including freshman Madi Sue Montgomery and senior Michaela Patton.
Montgomery finished the OSU fall season with appearances at five different positions, making stints at second base, third base, shortstop, outfield and designated player throughout the season. At each position, Montgomery notched a perfect fielding percentage through eight games.
"Right now, Madi Sue is going to see action in probably all three infield spots, with those being third, short and second base," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "She's also very skilled in the outfield, so I could see her playing multiple roles there as well. Madi Sue also brings a left-handed batting presence for us, and she can run. She's going to find a way into our lineup."
During the Cowgirls' 2015 campaign, senior Michaela Patton made 25 starts as between shortstop, second base and designated player. Patton showed consistency in the field with only one error all season and provided a spark at the plate, scoring 16 runs while boasting a .437 on-base percentage.
The Auburn, Washington, native played outfield, third base and second base throughout the Cowgirls' fall season. During her five-game stint at second base, Patton went 2-for-5 with a .400 average.
"Michaela is a kid who has played in the infield during her whole time here, but with the depth that we've got in our infield, we've been starting to work her in the outfield as well," Gajewski said.
Also switching things up in the field is senior Tiffany Mikkelson, who will transition from third base to outfield this season. The Aliso Viejo, Calif. native started in all 52 games in 2015, and was selected to both the All-Big 12 and All-Region squads. Mikkelson boasted a .962 fielding percentage and held top ten marks in walks (39), RBI (46), total bases (104), on-base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.722). The senior will continue to be a key component in the Cowgirl softball lineup for the 2016 season, and stands only eight home runs away from setting a new OSU all-time record.
"Most of you have just seen her at third base, but we've got her playing solely in the outfield now," Gajewski said. "That was a transition that she made, and she has made it well. She's such a great athlete. She can run, she can steal bases and she's very capable of doing anything we might ask her to do. With the infield depth that we brought in this year, this move made sense for us. She has done it with a smile on her face, and I couldn't be more proud of her."
Also making transitions in the field are Darcy Taylor and Danielle Riddle, who both made key contributions to the Cowgirl lineup in 2015. Taylor, a power-threat from Tulsa, Okla., will see time at first base and in the outfield, while Riddle has also put in outfield work in addition to making appearances at first.
"We do have some interesting depth," Gajewski said. "We've got a lot of kids that can play in a lot of spots, and that's exciting. The key is that I want them to be good in those spots, not just average. We need them to feel comfortable, and if we can, we generate so much more momentum from our defense."
With a set of multipurpose players at hand, the Cowgirls will have aspects of depth and flexibility in their lineup and on the field. Oklahoma State will put its catching crew on display during next week's position preview.
Montgomery finished the OSU fall season with appearances at five different positions, making stints at second base, third base, shortstop, outfield and designated player throughout the season. At each position, Montgomery notched a perfect fielding percentage through eight games.
"Right now, Madi Sue is going to see action in probably all three infield spots, with those being third, short and second base," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "She's also very skilled in the outfield, so I could see her playing multiple roles there as well. Madi Sue also brings a left-handed batting presence for us, and she can run. She's going to find a way into our lineup."
During the Cowgirls' 2015 campaign, senior Michaela Patton made 25 starts as between shortstop, second base and designated player. Patton showed consistency in the field with only one error all season and provided a spark at the plate, scoring 16 runs while boasting a .437 on-base percentage.
The Auburn, Washington, native played outfield, third base and second base throughout the Cowgirls' fall season. During her five-game stint at second base, Patton went 2-for-5 with a .400 average.
"Michaela is a kid who has played in the infield during her whole time here, but with the depth that we've got in our infield, we've been starting to work her in the outfield as well," Gajewski said.
Also switching things up in the field is senior Tiffany Mikkelson, who will transition from third base to outfield this season. The Aliso Viejo, Calif. native started in all 52 games in 2015, and was selected to both the All-Big 12 and All-Region squads. Mikkelson boasted a .962 fielding percentage and held top ten marks in walks (39), RBI (46), total bases (104), on-base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.722). The senior will continue to be a key component in the Cowgirl softball lineup for the 2016 season, and stands only eight home runs away from setting a new OSU all-time record.
"Most of you have just seen her at third base, but we've got her playing solely in the outfield now," Gajewski said. "That was a transition that she made, and she has made it well. She's such a great athlete. She can run, she can steal bases and she's very capable of doing anything we might ask her to do. With the infield depth that we brought in this year, this move made sense for us. She has done it with a smile on her face, and I couldn't be more proud of her."
Also making transitions in the field are Darcy Taylor and Danielle Riddle, who both made key contributions to the Cowgirl lineup in 2015. Taylor, a power-threat from Tulsa, Okla., will see time at first base and in the outfield, while Riddle has also put in outfield work in addition to making appearances at first.
"We do have some interesting depth," Gajewski said. "We've got a lot of kids that can play in a lot of spots, and that's exciting. The key is that I want them to be good in those spots, not just average. We need them to feel comfortable, and if we can, we generate so much more momentum from our defense."
With a set of multipurpose players at hand, the Cowgirls will have aspects of depth and flexibility in their lineup and on the field. Oklahoma State will put its catching crew on display during next week's position preview.
Players Mentioned
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Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
