University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels In The Pros
June 10, 2011 | Softball
June 10, 2011
CHAPEL HILL --- Four former Tar Heels will play professional softball in the National Pro Fast Pitch league this summer. Christine Knauer, Lisa Norris, Brittany McKinney and Danielle Spaulding all graduated for UNC within the last three years. Former Tar Heels are represented on each team in the National Pro Fast Pitch League.
Christine Knauer will be in her second season with the Chicago Bandits. Knauer is a former All-ACC Selection while playing shortstop for the Tar Heels from 2007-2010. A four-time recipient of the UNC Hustle Award, Knauer collected 21 hits, swiped six bases and scored 12 runs in her rookie campaign with the Bandits.
Lisa Norris returns in the circle for her third season with the Akron Racers. The 2010 Diamond Sports Pitcher of the Year led the NPF with 14 wins in 2010. The Snellville, Ga., native posted a 1.73 ERA with four complete-game shutouts. A three-time All-ACC Selection, Norris ranks in the top-five of nearly UNC pitching record.
Danielle Spaulding will join the USSSA Pride for her rookie season. Spaulding served as an undergraduate assistant coach in 2011 while completing her degree. Carolina's first three-time NFCA All-America, Spaulding is UNC's all-time leader in strikeouts compiling 10 no-hitters in her career from 2007-2010. The 2010 ACC Pitcher of the Year and two-time ACC MVP will open play with the Pride this weekend.
2011 graduate Brittany McKinney will catch for the NPF Diamonds in her rookie season. The former All-ACC selection batted .254 with four home runs and 22 RBI this spring. McKinney is a talented defensive catcher, throwing out 10 of 23 potential basestealers in 2011. The Clemmons, N.C., native owns one of the highest career feilding percentages in UNC history with a .993 clip behind the dish and her 20 career home runs rank in the top-ten of UNC history.
