University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Softball Announces 2018 Team Awards
August 10, 2018 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina coaching staff announced its 2018 team awards, honoring six student-athletes for their accomplishments throughout the season. This spring, the Tar Heels recorded the program's 20th winning season in 21 years and reset UNC's stolen base record for the third consecutive season.
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Gene Anderson – Rookie of the Year Award: Kiani Ramsey
A transfer student-athlete from Texas Tech, Kiani Ramsey made her presence known from the start of the season, starting 52 games and playing in all 55 for the Tar Heels. The junior led Carolina at the plate with a .374 average while making 68 outs with five assists from center. Consistently batting second throughout the season, Ramsey stole 17 bases – one of five Tar Heels with double-digit bases.
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Johnny Carroll – Hustle Award: Destiny DeBerry
Awarded to the player that gives their maximum effort on a consistent basis, the Hustle Award goes to someone with an admirable work ethic who is willing to go the extra mile during practices and games. Despite splitting time between left field and a pinch runner role, Destiny DeBerry continued to lead Carolina's young squad and earn her way into a starting role in left field. The junior led the ACC with a .438 average in conference play and struck out a mere six times throughout the season.
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Tom and Lisa Hazen Scholar Athlete Award – Katie Grace Olinger
Given to the player that maintains the highest GPA for the academic year, this award recognizes self-discipline and a commitment to balance academics and athletics. Despite limited time in the circle, Katie Grace Olinger started the season strong on the field, striking out five in a complete game vs. Providence, and finishing equally as strong in the classroom, earning a 4.0 during her first year to earn NFCA Academic All-America Scholar-Athlete honors.
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Virginia Augusta Leadership Award – Leah Murray
Awarded to the player(s) that display leadership qualities on and off the playing field, including being a good role model, being respectful and supportive of teammates, being trustworthy, serving as a facilitator and communicator for the team and being a glue for the team. Leading the team in stolen bases, Leah Murray persevered through an injury mid-way through the season, helping the Tar Heels to break their stolen base record for the third consecutive season. The junior logged 16 multi-hit games with an 11-game hitting streak in Carolina's leadoff role.
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Frances Brinkley Most Outstanding Offensive Award – Kiani Ramsey & Taylor Wike
Dedicated in honor of Moyer Smith, the Outstanding Offensive Award goes to the player(s) that were a consistent force at the plate throughout the season. Both Kiani Ramsey and Taylor Wike served as catalysts for Carolina's offense with the top two batting averages. Ramsey's .374 average was highlighted by a 12-game hitting streak and a slapped grand slam vs. Virginia Tech. Wike recorded a .591 slugging percentage thanks to a team-best eight homes runs with a .451 on-base clip due to a Carolina career record of 122 walks – 25 in 2018.
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Terry Cox Most Outstanding Defensive Award – Taylor Wike
Given to the player that has been the most solid on defense, making the routine plays as well as the outstanding ones. Adding to her ACC Defensive Player of the Year Honor, Taylor Wike earned the team's defensive award as well. Wike turned nine double plays in 2018, resetting the Carolina career record to 48. The senior caught 48 outs at shortstop, assisting a team-high of 98 eclipsing the previous career record, now standing at 451.
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Dr. W. Paul Biggers Most Valuable Pitcher – Brittany Pickett
Garnering all-ACC first team and all-tournament team honors for the second year, Brittany Pickett anchored Carolina's pitching staff, making 37 starts and appearing in 51 of UNC's 55 games. The sophomore led the nation in innings pitched, recording 10 shutouts to lead the ACC and rank 14th nationally. Pickett went 28-12 with a 2.29 ERA to rank second in the ACC, ninth in the NCAA and third in Carolina's single-season records in wins.
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Tom and Linda Hazen Most Valuable Player – Taylor Wike
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. A four-time all ACC selection, Taylor Wike led Carolina throughout her career, starting 225 games with a .355 career average. During her senior year, Wike reset three UNC career records: walks (122), assists (451) and double plays turned (48).
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Donna J. Papa Coach's Award – Brittany Pickett
Bestowed upon the player that most exemplifies the term 'Carolina Softball,' demonstrating excellence, pride, respect, a strong work ethic and dependability, while being both a team player and a competitor, the 2018 Coach's Award goes to sophomore Brittany Pickett. With countless innings in the circle, Pickett reinvented herself as a pitcher, developing new pitches to stay competitive and be successful for her teammates.
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Maria Powers Most Outstanding Play of the Year – Destiny DeBerry vs. NC State
Dedicated in honor of Christine Kubin, this year's Most Outstanding Play of the Year award goes to Destiny DeBerry for her SportCenter Top 10 play vs. NC State on April 16. DeBerry dove for a shallow fly ball in left field then turned a double play at first base to end the inning, en route to a shutout and series win.
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