Kristen Brown breaks home run record

"Downtown" is finally in the record books.

In a weekend to remember, junior shortstop Kristen Brown hit three home runs to lead the North Carolina softball team to a three-game sweep of the University of Virginia. Brown wrote her name in the UNC softball record books in the third game by hitting a home run — a two-run shot, specifically — in the fourth inning.

That home run marked her 17th of the year — a single season record for the Tar Heels.

“It’s a cool feeling and I’m really proud,” Brown said. “I put in a lot of hard work and my teammates really support me. It’s really nice to have this special moment.”

The record was not only paramount to Brown, but to her teammates, as well.

“I’m so proud of her because I’m in the same class as her,” said junior third baseman Tracy Chandless. “I've watched her all three years. She can hit the ball far, so its awesome to see her break the record as a junior.”

With her three long balls over the three-game series, Brown is now only four away from having the all-time home run record for the UNC softball program. And with her senior season still to come, Brown is on pace to take the top spot.

The reason behind all of Brown’s home runs may just be her mentality when she approaches the plate.

“It’s nice hitting home runs, but I just go up to the plate with a confident mindset and see a good pitch and drive it,” Brown said. “I’m trying to hit with swagger and make my opponents scared of me.”

Opponents' fear of facing Brown at the plate is justified — they are now pitching against one of the most prolific hitters in UNC softball history.

“(Kristen Brown) is one of the best players we’ve ever had in our program,” Coach Donna Papa said. “She’s got a great swing, a very powerful swing, and she’s an outstanding defensive player.”

While it is the least talked about part of Brown’s game, her defensive abilities are just as impressive as her offensive ones.

“I take a lot of pride in my defense,” Brown said. “Defense wins ball games all the time.”

Brown had a dominant hitting weekend, adding to the hot streak she is currently on, where she has hit twelve home runs in her last ten games.

“With the consistency that she is hitting right now, it’s almost like she is hitting a home run every game,” Papa said.

sports@dailytarheel.com