Annie Aldrete to Join Carolina Softball Staff

CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina head softball coach Donna J. Papa is glad to announce the addition of volunteer assistant coach Annie Aldrete to complete the Tar Heels' coaching staff.

"I am excited to welcome Annie to Chapel Hill to join our staff," Papa said. "She has had some great experiences as a player at high levels and has been a collegiate coach. She fits in well with our philosophies and brings great energy and insight to our program."

Annie Aldrete comes to North Carolina following a two-year tenure at CSU Monterey Bay. Aldrete helped the Otters to 66 wins as assistant coach, overseeing hitting and pitch calling as well as practice management. Aldrete is also the head softball instructor at Aldrete Baseball and Softball School in Salinas, California.

"I am so grateful for this opportunity at North Carolina," Aldrete said. "I'm excited to coach and learn in the environment Coach Papa and her staff have created. It is both humbling and exciting to be a part of Carolina Softball. I'm challenged every day to grow and increase my knowledge of the game."

Making four NCAA Tournament appearances as a student-athlete, Aldrete graduated from Cal in 2017 as a two-year starter and a successful playing career on the national level. Co-winner of the inaugural NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy, Aldrete played two years at Tennessee, starting nearly every game as either catcher or designated player.

Starting all but three games in two seasons as a Golden Bear, Aldrete led Cal in home runs as a senior with 32 hits and 24 RBIs for a .215 average. The Monterey, California native was one of the Pac-12's top defensive catchers, compiling a .994 fielding percentage as a junior while also ranking second on the team in walks with 28.

Off the field, Aldrete helped initiate, organize and execute Cal's season-long effort to help local domestic violence shelters with her involvement in the Bears' Dress for Success donation drive.

At Tennessee, Aldrete led the Lady Voles in home runs (19), RBIs (65) and extra-base hits (35) as a rookie, earning NFCA All-American second-team recognition. As a sophomore, the catcher ranked second on the team with 15 home runs and a .615 slugging percentage. Aldrete was named to t NFCA All-Southeast Region first team and selected to the Top 50 Watch List for USA Softball Player of the Year. Aldrete helped the Lady Vols advance to the NCAA Super Regional in 2014 and the Women's College World Series in 2015.

On the national stage, Aldrete was a member of the USA Women's National Team in 2015 and the USA Women's Elite Team in 2016.

Aldrete graduated from Cal with a bachelor of American studies, race, media and the business of sport in 2017.

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