University of North Carolina Athletics
Around The Horn: Infield Preview
February 1, 2016 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels return tremendous talent in the infield, especially up the middle with 2015 First Team All-ACC selections Kristen Brown and Taylor Wike. Brown (SS) and Wike (2B) started every game at their positions last season, as Wike was named a top-25 finalist for NFCA National Freshman of the Year while Brown was an NFCA Third-Team All-American.
The corners are more up-for-grabs, as junior Darby Rosen and senior Erin Satterfield, who split time at third base last season, will once again compete for the starting role at the hot corner. Following the graduation of All-Region first baseman Jenna Kelly, Tar Heel fans can expect to see a new face holding down the first base bag. Pitcher Lauren Fuller will compete with freshman Leah Murray for the role. Fuller was primarily a designated player in previous seasons when not throwing from the circle.
Associate Head Coach MJ Firnbach on the infield:
“The Tar Heel infield has a number of starters returning this season that will help solidify the defense. Last season, the Heels finished third in the ACC defensively with a .971 fielding percentage. Behind the leadership of senior shortstop Kristen Brown and sophomore second baseman Taylor Wike, the defense looks to vie for the number one spot in the ACC for the 2016 season.
“Returning to help accomplish this task are both Darby Rosen and Erin Satterfield, who shared innings at third base. Katelyn Shifflett also returns as a key role player in the infield that can be plugged in at almost every position when called upon.
“Rounding out the infield are newcomers Berlynne Delamora and Leah Murray, while Elena Covert, who is returning from an injury, and Lauren Fuller will help add leadership to the right side of the infield.”
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Kristen Brown – SS – Sr. – R/R – Levittown, N.Y.
- 2015 NFCA All-America Third Team
- 2015 NFCA All-Southeast Region
- Three-time All-ACC
- Became the first Tar Heel to earn a place in the U.S. National Team program when she was named to the 2016 USA Softball Women's Elite Team last month.
- Broke the Carolina single-season records for home runs (24), RBIs (67) and runs scored (57) in 2015, while posting the second-highest slugging percentage (.853) and total bases (139).
- Broke the Carolina career record for home runs, currently holds the career record for slugging percentage by a large margin, and is on pace to break the records for runs, RBIs and total bases.
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Taylor Wike – 2B – So. – L/R – Hiddenite, N.C.
- Top-25 Finalist for NFCA National Freshman of the Year
- 2015 All-ACC First Team
- Started all 53 games at second base in 2015, leading the team in batting average (.418), on-base percentage (.558) and hits (66) and ranking second in runs (53).
- Tied the program record for single-season walks (42).
- Ranked in the top 25 in the nation in walks and on-base percentage.
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Leah Murray – 1B – Fr. – L/R – Huntersville, N.C. – William A. Hough H.S.
- Standing at 6-foot-0, Murray will compete for the starting role at first base left open following the graduation of Jenna Kelly.
- Two-time MECKA 4A Conference Player of the Year
- Two-time All-Lake Norman Softball Player of the Year
- 2015 Greater Charlotte Hot Stove Softball Player of the Year
- Hit .640 with an .860 slugging percentage and 11 stolen bases as a senior at William A. Hough High School.
- Broke the Hough High career records for hits (142), batting average (.582) and stolen bases (39).
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Lauren Fuller – 1B/P – Sr. – L/L – Columbia, Mo.
- Has previously been a designated player or pinch hitter, but will compete for a spot at first base when not in the pitching circle.
- Hitting .139 for her career, but batted .333 (3-for-9) in 2015.
- Has a total of five hits, five walks, two runs and five RBIs over 36 career at-bats.
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Erin Satterfield – 3B – Sr. – R/R – Tucson, Ariz.
- Split time with Darby Rosen at third base last season after making 101 starts at second base over her first two seasons.
- A career .266 hitter, Satterfield had just eight hits last season but batted .306 with two home runs, seven walks and four stolen bases in 2014.
- Posted seven walks and 12 runs in 48 at-bats last season.
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Darby Rosen – 3B – Jr. – L/R – Sugar Land, Texas
- Has split time at third base over the past two seasons, starting a total of 64 games in the hot corner.
- Batted .207 with 19 hits, 11 walks, 13 runs and nine RBIs over 92 at-bats last season.
- Hit five home runs in 72 at-bats as a freshman, and has six career long balls.
Additionally, Berlynne Delamora, Elena Covert and Katelyn Shifflett will compete for playing time in the infield. Delamora, a freshman from Hacienda Heights, California, is most likely to see action at third base, while Covert, who missed last season with an injury, will back up Wike at second base. Sophomore Shifflett is a utility fielder who made 24 appearances last season primarily as a pinch runner.
