North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Rank: #25
Conference Rank: #2 Atlantic Coast Conference
North Carolina looks to rebound after not making the NCAA Tournament in 2011, an uncommon occurrence under the leadership of 27 year veteran Head Coach Donna Papa. Recently elected to the NFCA Hall of Fame, Coach Papa crossed the 1,000 win plateau last spring, has 23 winning seasons and has reached the NCAA Tournament nine of the last 11 years. For 2012 she brings back her entire pitching staff, her top six offensive players this spring and an impressive group of freshmen.
2011: 34-21, 15-8
2011 Postseason: None
Coach: Donna Papa, 27th Season
Field Players:
Senior Kelli Wheeler hit .369 from the leadoff spot in 2011. The All-ACC outfielder’s average was tops among her teammates. She was second in homers with 11, third in RBI driving in 31 and second with 11 stolen bases. Infielder Haleigh Dickey hammered 12 home runs last season, leading the team. The All-Conference pick hit .333, knocked in 43 and turned in a .975 fielding percentage. Senior Ally Blake hit .311, with eight bombs and 38 RBI. Sophomore infielder Logan Foulks, junior second baseman Elisha Elliott and junior outfielder Tisha Mahon round out the Tar Heels top six on offense.
Pitchers:
The Tar Heels 2011 pitching staff, all freshmen, will again be led by Lori Spingola. Spingola made 39 starts last season, going 27-16, a tie for the most wins in a single season at North Carolina. She pitched 267.1 innings, a Tar Heel single season record and struck out 285, finishing with a 1.73 ERA. Sara Buchholz threw 83 innings, made six starts and 23 appearances, going 7-5 with a 4.39 ERA. Freshman Lauren Walker, a two-time Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and Max Preps All-American, should add a potent arm to the staff.
Who to Watch:
The other four incoming freshmen should help improve the North Carolina offense. Infielder Stephanie Krider was a three-time All-State selection and led Alexander Central High to the 4A North Carolina State Championship in 2011. Catcher Kati Causey earned All-State honors four times at Arendell Patriot Academy and also won a North Carolina State Title. Amber Parish catches and plays first. She was a three sport letter winner and All-State pick in softball at James B. Hunt High in Wilson, NC. Last but certainly not least, is Jenna Kelly. An All-State selection from Saugus High in Santa Clara, CA, Kelly was a member of the SoCal Athletics two time Premier Girls Fast-Pitch National Championship team and will add a significant amount of pop to the Tar Heel lineup.
Final Projection:
The Tar Heels are set up for an outstanding spring. With a solid group of veteran leaders up and down the lineup and in the bullpen, Coach Papa should enjoy another winning season and have a good chance to challenge for the ACC Title. Kelly’s exceptional ability at the plate and “big stage” experience would improve most teams. Adding the four other newcomers, Krider, Causey, Parish and Walker, to the lineup puts the Tar Heels on track to return to the NCAA Tournament for the tenth time in 12 years.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Kelli Wheeler, LF, 168
Hits: Kelli Wheeler, LF, 62
Home Runs: Haleigh Dickey, INF, 12
RBIs: Haleigh Dickey, INF, 43
Runs: Kelli Wheeler, LF, 42
Stolen Bases: Tisha Mahon, OF, 15
Wins: Lori Spingola, P, 27
Innings Pitched: Lori Spingola, P, 267.1
Strikeouts: Lori Spingola, P, 285
Saves: Lori Spingola, P, 2
Madness 2012 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#47 Lauren Walker
