University of North Carolina Athletics
Around The Horn: Outfield Preview
January 24, 2017 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – The Tar Heels will field a talented core of underclassmen in the outfield this spring, returning speedy sophomore Destiny DeBerry, who stole 33 bases in 45 starts in left field last season, along with classmate Leah Murray, who stands at 6-feet tall and played both first base and outfield as a rookie.
The sophomore duo is joined in the outfield by freshmen Micaela Abbatine, Kristina Burkhardt and Brittany West, who each expect to contribute right away.
Head Coach Donna J. Papa on the outfield:
“The 2017 Tar Heel outfield is a competitive, talented group. They are extremely coachable and fun-loving. From day one, we have worked on being aggressive with our diving and fence play. Our footspeed and arm strength are our strengths as a squad.
“Our most experienced outfielders are sophomores Destiny DeBerry and Leah Murray. They will help anchor the outfield. In addition to their range and speed on the field, both have a great work ethic and provide solid leadership for our young outfield unit.
“We have three newcomers, freshmen Micaela Abbatine, Kristina Burkhardt, and Brittany West. They are a very coachable group and possess strong individual skills. I look forward to seeing them grow and develop as we progress through the season. Our motto in the outfield is 'grass stains', which perfectly sums up our mentality.”
Destiny DeBerry – So. – L/R – Thomasville, N.C.
- Appeared in 52 games as a true freshman, making 45 starts in left field (46 total starts)
- Batted .317 with a triple, 12 walks, six sacrifice bunts and six RBIs on the season
- Possesses exceptional speed, ranking third in the ACC and 24th in the nation with 33 stolen bases in 2016
- Helped UNC break its single-season team stolen bases record and ranked fourth all time in school history in swipes
- Her first career base hit jumpstarted a 10-game hitting streak which she extended to a 13-game reached base streak
Leah Murray – So. – L/R – Huntersville, N.C.
- Split time between first base and outfield in 2016 while also serving as a pinch runner, appearing in 54 games with 40 starts
- Hit .316 with six doubles, 10 walks and 10 RBIs
- Laid down three sacrifice bunts and went 6-for-8 on steals
- Had 10 multi-hit performances
Micaela Abbatine – Fr. – R/R – Warwick, N.Y. – Warwick Valley High School
- Five-year starting centerfielder for Warwick Valley High School
- Three-time New York Class AA All-State
- Three-time Section 9 First-Team All-Conference
- Led the conference in stolen bases for three straight seasons, totaling 90 career swipes
- Hit .429 as a senior and .440 as a junior
Kristina Burkhardt – Fr. – L/L – Fort Wayne, Ind. – Bishop Dwenger High School
- Batted over .5000 in three straight high school seasons, including hitting .625 with eight home runs, 12 triples, 11 doubles, 46 RBIs, 56 runs and not a single strikeout as a senior
- 2016 News-Sentinel All-Area Co-Player of the Year
- 2016 Miss Indiana Softball Finalist
- Two-time First-Team All-District
- Two-time First-Team All-State
Brittany West – Fr. – R/R – Kittrell, N.C. – Southern Vance High School
- Three-year team captain for Southern Vance High School
- Four-time All-Northern Carolina Conference
- Batted at least .450 every season in high school, including .538 and a perfect 13-for-13 in steals as a junior
- Led the Carolina Cardinals to the 2016 ASA 18U A National Championship after a third-place finish at 2015 nationals
