May 9, 2018 Article from GOBLUERAIDERS.COM

Burgess, Harris Named to C-USA All-Academic Team

photos of Summer Burgess and Morgan HarrisIrving, Texas - Conference USA Softball All-Academic honoree were announced by the league office Wednesday, ahead of the opening round of the C-USA Tournament. Sophomore shortstop Summer Burgess and senior catcher Morgan Harris represented the Blue Raiders on the list of 11 student-athletes.

Middle is the only program with more than one athlete recognized. Burgess and Harris also represent just fifth and sixth time that MT has had an athlete on the C-USA All-Academic Team. Burgess is also the only sophomore to make the list.

"The fact that we have two kids on the All-Academic team shows that we want them to excel in the classroom and on the field as well. As people start looking at our team on the field and then looking at our overall team GPA, I think they will be impressed. As a coach, I expect the girls to win on the field but we are also going to get them a degree, get them graduated and ready to go out and be good citizens in the world."

Morgan started nearly every game behind the plate for MT this season and is paring it with her being season at the plate. The senior is batting .358, ninth-highest in C-USA, with 57 hits, seven doubles, four home runs and 38 RBI. Earlier this season, she broke the MT career mark for RBI and has 110 in her four-year career. Harris has two pickoffs this season and has thrown out 16 base runners trying to steal, second-most in the conference.

Harris has also excelled in the classroom with a 3.858 GPA in Sport Leisure and Tourism Studies. She also most recently finished her first semester of graduate school, working on completing her Master's in Sport Management. She is a four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and Academic Medal Winner as well as a six-time occupant of the MTSU Dean's List.

"Morgan being on the All-Academic Team is great," said Breeden. "She graduated early in December and started working on her Master's this spring. She's had a great season for us on the field and in the classroom. Morgan works in the BRAA and we hope to continue to keep her around until she completes her Master's or PhD, whatever she wants to do. She is a quality young lady and is the epitome of what it means to be a Blue Raider, as evident by her President's Award at the Raider Choice Awards."

Burgess has come out with a bang her sophomore season. The shortstop is leading the Blue Raider offense with a .367 clip, fifth-highest in the conference. She has 65 hits and five doubles. The speedy leadoff batter has scored 37 runs and recorded 19 stolen bases on the year. She also leads MT in walks (24), assists (129) and is the only player to have started all 54 games this season.

In the classroom, Burgess posts a 3.875 GPA in Exercise Science. She is a two-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and Academic Medal Winner. Burgess has also been named to the MTSU Dean's List every semester she has been a Blue Raider.

"Summer is a young lady that is every conscientious about her academic work," Breeden said. "Summer comes and has fun every day at practice but knows the value of hard work. She represents our school very well and I am very proud that she was recognized on the All-Conference Second Team and the All-Academic Team. This award speaks volumes for her, her family and how she was raised. We are glad that she is a part of us here at Middle Tennessee."

2018 C-USA All-Academic Team

Haley Pace, Charlotte, Sr., SS – 4.0 GPA in Accounting

Alex, Miller, Florida Atlantic, Sr., C – 3.844 GPA in Nursing

Morgan Turkoly, Louisiana Tech, Jr., OF – 3.79 GPA in Accounting

Taylor McCord, Marshall, Sr., C – 3.71 GPA in Health Sciences

Summer Burgess, Middle Tennessee, So., SS – 3.875 GPA in Exercise Science

Morgan Harris, Middle Tennessee, Sr., C – 3.858 GPA in Sport, Leisure and Tourism Studies (Undergrad) and Sport Management (Master's)

Samantha Papp, Southern Miss, Jr., C – 4.0 GPA in Special Education

Analyse Petree, UAB, Jr., 2B – 3.81 GPA in Sociology

Courtney Clayton, UTEP, Sr., 2B – 3.88 GPA in Health Promotion

Bailee Baldwin, UTSA, Jr., OF – 3.95 GPA in Criminal Justice

Kelsey McGuffin, WKU, Jr., OF – 3.86 GPA in Physical Education