University of North Carolina Athletics
Wheeler Highlights 2011 UNC Softball Awards
June 8, 2011 | Softball
June 8, 2011
CHAPEL HILL --- Highlighted by junior Kelli Wheeler's five awards, the 2011 North Carolina Softball team distributed their annual team awards Tuesday. Wheeler was named the team's Most Valuable Player and earned the team's Scholar Athlete, Leadership, Most Outstanding Offense and Most Outstanding Play awards. Freshman pitcher Lori Spingola was named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Pitcher.
Gene Anderson - Rookie of the Year Award
Awarded to the player that has had the most impact on the team as a first year player.
• Lori Spingola - In her rookie campaign, the freshman tied the single season school record for wins (27) and set a new single season record for innings pitched (267.1) in the circle. Spingola tossed two no-hitters, including a perfect game Feb. 27 against Penn State en route to earning NFCA National Player of the Week honors. The four-time ACC Pitcher of the Week tossed 11 complete-game shutouts.
Johnny Carroll - Hustle Award
Awarded to the player that gives their maximum effort on a consistent basis. This player has an admirable work ethic and is willing to go the extra mile during practice and games.
• Paige Williams - In her sophomore season, Williams was used freqeuntly as a pinch-runner scoring 11 runs. The sophomore made 11 starts at shortstop making just two errors in 36 chances.
Tom and Linda Hazen - Scholar-Athlete Award
Awarded to the player that maintains the highest GPA for the academic year. This award recognizes self discipline and commitment to balance academics and athletics.
• Kelli Wheeler - An exercise and sport science major, Wheeler earned a spot on the Dean's List this past semester. She is also of member of the ACC Honor Roll and a recipient of the Athletic Director's scholar athlete award.
Virginia Augusta - Leadership Award
Awarded to the player that displays leadership qualities on and off the playing field. Some of those qualities include: good role model, respect of teammates, supportive of teammates, trustworthy, facilitator and communicator for team, glue of the team.
• Kelli Wheeler - A participant in the Carolina Leadership Academy, Wheeler leads by example on and off the field. The Marietta, Ga., native earned co-MVP honors and the scholar athlete award.
Frances Brinkley - Most Outstanding Offense Award (In honor of Moyer Smith)
Awarded to the player that has been a consistent force at the plate throughout the season as well as having the highest batting average.
• Haleigh Dickey & Kelli Wheeler - Dickey enjoyed a monster sophomore season collecting a team-high 12 home runs and 43 RBI, both ranking in the top ten in single season school history. Posted a .333 batting average with a team-best 13 multi-RBI efforts and 16 multi-hit games. Wheeler led Carolina with a .361 batting average, .631 slugging percentage and .460 on-base percentage at the plate.
Terry Cox - Most Outstanding Defensive Award
Awarded to the player that has been the most solid on defense making the routine plays as well as the outstanding ones. The player with the best fielding percentage.
• Dani Manko - Manko anchored the outfield with a perfect fielding percentage in nearly 50 chances. The senior recorded five assists from center field and made several spectacular grabs to limit runs.
Dr. W. Paul Biggers - Most Valuable Pitcher Award
Awarded to the pitcher who has excelled on the mound and has made significant contributions at her position.
• Lori Spingola - The 2011 All-ACC First Team and All-Tournament Team member was one of the nation's top pitchers. The Atlanta, Ga., native struck out 10 or more batters in six different outings as a freshman. Spingola notched an ACC-best nine wins in a league-high 15 starts. The freshman is etched in the top ten of the UNC single season record book in the following categories - wins (27), innings pitched (267.1), shutouts (11), starts (39) and appearances (48).
Tom and Linday Hazen - Most Valuable Player Award
Awarded to the player that has made the most significant impact on the success of the team on a consistent game to game basis both offensively and defensively.
• Kelli Wheeler - 2011 All-ACC Second Team and All-Tournament Team led Carolina with a .369 batting average. Wheeler registered a team-best 18 multi-hit games and scored a team-high 42 runs. The junior notched a eight-game hit streak and swiped 11 bases from the leadoff spot in the order. Her career .613 slugging percentage is the highest amongst any Tar Heel in three years of play and her 26 home runs are just eight off the career school record of 34.
Donna J. Papa - Coach's Award
Awarded to the player that most exemplifies the term Carolina Softball - excellence, pride, team player, respect, competitor, strong work ethic, dependable.
• Brittany McKinney - The senior captain started 53 games for the 2011 Tar Heels. McKinney directed the rooie UNC pitching staff and anchored Carolina defensively from the catcher position. She registered seven multi-hit games and caught 10 of a potential 23 base stealers from behind the dish. McKinney owns one of the highest career feilding percentages in UNC history with a .993 clip and Her 20 career home runs rank in the top ten of UNC history.
Maria Powers - Most Outstanding Play of the Year Award (In honor of Christine Kubin)
Awarded to the player who has provided a highlight for the year either offensively or defensively. A play that was a game-changing one or a highlight play.
• Kelli Wheeler - The recipient of this award for the second consecutive year, Wheeler walloped a three-run walk off home run to propel UNC over Long Island 6-5 on March 5 in the 2011 Citrus Classic. Trailing 5-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, Carolina was in a hole with two quick outs. Brittany McKinney, who fouled out to left field in what could have been the game ending out, reached on a walk due to an illegal pitch. After another two-out walk, Wheeler then hammered a 2-1 offering over the left field fence to give the Tar Heels a dramatic 6-5 victory.
