2018 Husky Softball Preview: Outfield
January 29, 2018 | Softball
SEATTLE - The Husky outfield will once again be a strength in 2018 as two full-time starters are back, as well as three other key contributors. Washington's returners started all but 64 of 192 possible games in the outfield last year. That group is led by Trysten Melhart and Kelly Burdick, who each started at least 58 games, as well as Maggie Gallagher, Kaija Gibson, and Amirah Milloy. Taryn Atlee, Nawai Kaupe, and Julia DePonte will all be in the outfield mix in addition to their work in the infield.
Burdick and Melhart were dangerous at-bat for the Huskies in 2017 and equally proficient in the field, with just four errors combined. On the basepaths, Melhart and Burdick were first and second on the team in steals: Melhart led the way with 19 steals in 20 attempts, while Burdick went 9-for-10 stealing bases.
Burdick also hit .331 on the season, the highest mark among Husky outfielders. The Pac-12 All-Academic honoree started 63 games in centerfield and scored 33 runs for the Huskies, a new career-high. Burdick had a career-high three hits against Utah last year as well, one of her nine multi-hit games in 2017.
Melhart started strong in 2017 for the Huskies after two straight years of hitting over .370, with two six-game hitting streaks in the first 14 games. Melhart would end the year with 30 runs and 10 RBI, her third consecutive year with double-digit RBI despite serving as a table-setter for the Huskies.
Gallagher, Gibson, and Milloy will all help fill the empty spot of the since-graduated Casey Stangel. Gallagher led that group with a .356 batting average in her 30 games last year. As a freshman, Gallagher also put up nine runs and eight RBI in 45 at-bats, doubling four times.
Gibson saw the most playing time of that trio, making 15 starts and 50 total appearances. The Redmond, Washington native scored 14 runs and stole three bases for the Huskies, making just one error all season in the outfield. Gibson showed patience at the plate as well: her three-walk game against Northwestern were the most walks drawn by any Husky in 2017.
Milloy scored 11 runs for the Huskies in 2017 while making four starts. Milloy now has six stolen bases in her two season as well and has scored double-digit runs both years, topping out at 18 runs in 2016. She flashed an impressive bat in addition to her prowess on the base paths with her first career home run, a two-run shot against Indiana on March 3. The junior has been a flawless fielder in her career without a single error so far over her 78 appearances.
Washington's 2018 season kicks on February 8 on the road. The Huskies will start in Peoria, Illinois for a five-game tournament, beginning with a matchup with Saint Louis.
Make sure to follow Husky softball on Twitter with the username @UWSoftball and on Instagram at uwsoftball.
Burdick and Melhart were dangerous at-bat for the Huskies in 2017 and equally proficient in the field, with just four errors combined. On the basepaths, Melhart and Burdick were first and second on the team in steals: Melhart led the way with 19 steals in 20 attempts, while Burdick went 9-for-10 stealing bases.
Burdick also hit .331 on the season, the highest mark among Husky outfielders. The Pac-12 All-Academic honoree started 63 games in centerfield and scored 33 runs for the Huskies, a new career-high. Burdick had a career-high three hits against Utah last year as well, one of her nine multi-hit games in 2017.
Melhart started strong in 2017 for the Huskies after two straight years of hitting over .370, with two six-game hitting streaks in the first 14 games. Melhart would end the year with 30 runs and 10 RBI, her third consecutive year with double-digit RBI despite serving as a table-setter for the Huskies.
Gallagher, Gibson, and Milloy will all help fill the empty spot of the since-graduated Casey Stangel. Gallagher led that group with a .356 batting average in her 30 games last year. As a freshman, Gallagher also put up nine runs and eight RBI in 45 at-bats, doubling four times.
Gibson saw the most playing time of that trio, making 15 starts and 50 total appearances. The Redmond, Washington native scored 14 runs and stole three bases for the Huskies, making just one error all season in the outfield. Gibson showed patience at the plate as well: her three-walk game against Northwestern were the most walks drawn by any Husky in 2017.
Milloy scored 11 runs for the Huskies in 2017 while making four starts. Milloy now has six stolen bases in her two season as well and has scored double-digit runs both years, topping out at 18 runs in 2016. She flashed an impressive bat in addition to her prowess on the base paths with her first career home run, a two-run shot against Indiana on March 3. The junior has been a flawless fielder in her career without a single error so far over her 78 appearances.
Washington's 2018 season kicks on February 8 on the road. The Huskies will start in Peoria, Illinois for a five-game tournament, beginning with a matchup with Saint Louis.
Make sure to follow Husky softball on Twitter with the username @UWSoftball and on Instagram at uwsoftball.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSaturday, May 16
Friday, May 15
Wednesday, May 06
Wednesday, May 06
