University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Carolina Softball Announces 2019 Team Awards
July 29, 2019 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina coaching staff announced its 2019 team awards, honoring eight student-athletes for their accomplishments throughout the season. Resetting their stolen base record for the fourth consecutive season, the Tar Heels made history by forcing the elimination game at the NCAA Knoxville regional in the program's 21st winning season in 22 years.
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Gene Anderson – Rookie of the Year Award: Abby Settlemyre
A freshman from Hickory, North Carolina, Abby Settlemyre made an immediate impact on the field at shortstop, turning nine double plays with 111 assists from the middle infield. The freshman started every game for UNC, batting .306 three triples and a home run vs. Michigan. Settlemyre led the Tar Heels with five sac-flies and stole 10 bases – one of six 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. Carolina's starting left fielder, Destiny DeBerry led the young UNC team with a strong vocal presence on the field. DeBerry led the outfield with 71 assists while batting .267 with 13 stolen bases.
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Tom and Linda 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. Katie Grace Olinger made six appearances and picked up a win versus BYU before redshirting the remainder of the season. Named to the ACC Honor Roll, Olinger earned a 4.0 GPA while majoring in Media & Journalism (Advertising and Public Relations) and Communications.
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Virginia Augusta Leadership Award: Destiny DeBerry, Berlynne Delamora, Leah Murray, Kiani Ramsey
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. The 2019 senior class of Destiny DeBerry, Berlynne Delamora, Leah Murray and Kiani Ramsey revamped the culture of Carolina Softball with a "Get To" mentality throughout the year.
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Frances Brinkley Most Outstanding Offensive Award: Kiani Ramsey
Dedicated in honor of Moyer Smith, the Outstanding Offensive Award goes to the player that was a consistent force at the plate throughout the season. Kiani Ramsey led Carolina at the plate with a .364 average with a team-best 18 extra-base hits that includes 11 doubles, five triples and two home runs. Ramsey stole 22 bases – the second-most for the Tar Heels en route to breaking their stolen base record for the fourth consecutive season.
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Terry Cox Most Outstanding Defensive Award: Megan Dray
Given to the player that has been the most solid on defense, making the routine plays as well as the outstanding ones. Catching 12 runners stealing, Megan Dray earned UNC's defensive award. In two seasons, Dray ranks 10th in program history with 15 runners caught. Behind the plate, Dray committed a mere two errors in 335 changes for a .994 fielding percentage.
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Dr. W. Paul Biggers Most Valuable Pitcher:Â Brittany Pickett
Garnering all-ACC first team and all-tournament team honors for the third year, Brittany Pickett continued to improve in the circle, making 34 starts while dropping her ERA to 2.02 on the season. With four saves, Pickett became UNC's career saves record holder while ranking top-10 in nine Carolina career records. Pickett earned five ACC weekly honors and ranked top five in the league and top 30 nationally in saves, strikeouts and wins as junior.
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Tom and Linda Hazen Most Valuable Player: Leah Murray
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. Transitioning from the outfield to second base as a senior, Leah Murray was the sparkplug on Carolina's offense as the leadoff batter. UNC's career stolen base record holder, Murray led the team with 27 stolen bases while batting .344 on 62 hits. Murray's .347 career average and 227 hits both rank seventh in program history.
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Donna J. Papa Coach's Award: Berlynne Delamora
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 2019 Coach's Award goes to senior Berlynne Delamora. Holding strong in the hot corner, Delamora provided a veteran presence on the young infield helping Carolina improve its season fielding percentage to .972 – the highest in five seasons.
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Maria Powers Most Outstanding Play of the Year: Berlynne Delamora vs. Florida State
Dedicated in honor of Christine Kubin, this year's Most Outstanding Play of the Year award goes to Berlynne Delamora for her extra-inning, walk-off RBI-single against No. 3 Florida State –Carolina's first top-five win in program history. Despite FSU tying up the game in the seventh inning, the Tar Heels persevered through extra innings for the 6-5 win. Carolina's doubleheader sweep over the Seminoles marked UNC's first series win over the Noles since 2011.
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Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
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Gene Anderson – Rookie of the Year Award: Abby Settlemyre
A freshman from Hickory, North Carolina, Abby Settlemyre made an immediate impact on the field at shortstop, turning nine double plays with 111 assists from the middle infield. The freshman started every game for UNC, batting .306 three triples and a home run vs. Michigan. Settlemyre led the Tar Heels with five sac-flies and stole 10 bases – one of six 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. Carolina's starting left fielder, Destiny DeBerry led the young UNC team with a strong vocal presence on the field. DeBerry led the outfield with 71 assists while batting .267 with 13 stolen bases.
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Tom and Linda 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. Katie Grace Olinger made six appearances and picked up a win versus BYU before redshirting the remainder of the season. Named to the ACC Honor Roll, Olinger earned a 4.0 GPA while majoring in Media & Journalism (Advertising and Public Relations) and Communications.
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Virginia Augusta Leadership Award: Destiny DeBerry, Berlynne Delamora, Leah Murray, Kiani Ramsey
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. The 2019 senior class of Destiny DeBerry, Berlynne Delamora, Leah Murray and Kiani Ramsey revamped the culture of Carolina Softball with a "Get To" mentality throughout the year.
Â
Frances Brinkley Most Outstanding Offensive Award: Kiani Ramsey
Dedicated in honor of Moyer Smith, the Outstanding Offensive Award goes to the player that was a consistent force at the plate throughout the season. Kiani Ramsey led Carolina at the plate with a .364 average with a team-best 18 extra-base hits that includes 11 doubles, five triples and two home runs. Ramsey stole 22 bases – the second-most for the Tar Heels en route to breaking their stolen base record for the fourth consecutive season.
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Terry Cox Most Outstanding Defensive Award: Megan Dray
Given to the player that has been the most solid on defense, making the routine plays as well as the outstanding ones. Catching 12 runners stealing, Megan Dray earned UNC's defensive award. In two seasons, Dray ranks 10th in program history with 15 runners caught. Behind the plate, Dray committed a mere two errors in 335 changes for a .994 fielding percentage.
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Dr. W. Paul Biggers Most Valuable Pitcher:Â Brittany Pickett
Garnering all-ACC first team and all-tournament team honors for the third year, Brittany Pickett continued to improve in the circle, making 34 starts while dropping her ERA to 2.02 on the season. With four saves, Pickett became UNC's career saves record holder while ranking top-10 in nine Carolina career records. Pickett earned five ACC weekly honors and ranked top five in the league and top 30 nationally in saves, strikeouts and wins as junior.
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Tom and Linda Hazen Most Valuable Player: Leah Murray
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. Transitioning from the outfield to second base as a senior, Leah Murray was the sparkplug on Carolina's offense as the leadoff batter. UNC's career stolen base record holder, Murray led the team with 27 stolen bases while batting .344 on 62 hits. Murray's .347 career average and 227 hits both rank seventh in program history.
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Donna J. Papa Coach's Award: Berlynne Delamora
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 2019 Coach's Award goes to senior Berlynne Delamora. Holding strong in the hot corner, Delamora provided a veteran presence on the young infield helping Carolina improve its season fielding percentage to .972 – the highest in five seasons.
Â
Maria Powers Most Outstanding Play of the Year: Berlynne Delamora vs. Florida State
Dedicated in honor of Christine Kubin, this year's Most Outstanding Play of the Year award goes to Berlynne Delamora for her extra-inning, walk-off RBI-single against No. 3 Florida State –Carolina's first top-five win in program history. Despite FSU tying up the game in the seventh inning, the Tar Heels persevered through extra innings for the 6-5 win. Carolina's doubleheader sweep over the Seminoles marked UNC's first series win over the Noles since 2011.
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Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Softball
3B
/ Softball
C/1B
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OF/1B
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P
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
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