Kristen Brown takes pride in draft selection

A figurative weight was lifted off senior shortstop Kristen Brown’s shoulders.

Despite usually shying away from the spotlight, often glancing away from reporters during postgame interviews and deflecting praise on her teammates, she finally got to talk about herself.

Although the North Carolina softball team (24-21, 8-10 ACC) dropped two of three games in a series against Virginia (15-28, 5-10 ACC) this weekend (1-7, 10-8, 2-3), it still made for an eventful weekend for UNC’s all-time home run leader.

On Thursday night, Brown was selected by the Chicago Bandits with the No. 24 overall pick of the National Pro Fastpitch 2016 College Draft.

Brown leads UNC with a .403 batting average and 16 home runs in 2016, and although she said she didn’t feel pressure throughout the season, she added she was relieved and excitement washed over her when she heard her name called.

“I was so excited when I heard my name at the draft and I can’t wait to go to Chicago and play hard there,” Brown said. “But also knowing that when I take this Carolina jersey off, that I’m going to put a Chicago one on.”

Brown didn’t let the moment sink in too long, though, before she shifted her focus back to her current team.

She once again led the Tar Heels over the weekend, tallying six hits and five RBIs against the Cavaliers.

Overall, UNC spread out 22 hits throughout the series, compared to UVa.’s 28. Kendra Lynch started in all three games, pitching 18 1/3 innings and pitching two complete games.

“They scored more runs and wound up on the winning side of it with two out of three games, so we’re just really disappointed,” Coach Donna Papa said. “I felt like we could’ve, should’ve, coming up here, won all three games and then unfortunately we didn’t and they played very well. We came out on the short side of it.”

The Tar Heels still hope they can qualify for the NCAA Tournament, a feat they’ve accomplished twice in Brown’s career. Her teams have never advanced past the NCAA Regional.

And while achieving this is her main priority, Brown said her immediate plans following graduation are to join the Bandits. Their first game is May 29.

“It was kind of a surprise. I was just hoping to get drafted,” she said. “I love the Bandits organization and going there is such an honor.

“They won (the Cowles Cup) last year, and I’m so excited to go out there and play hard for them.”

Papa said Brown has been a catalyst for the team, never letting outside distractions affect her offensive prowess or work ethic.

“I’m really proud of her. Her whole career she’s worked really hard and stayed very humble,” she said. “She’s a quality person and a quality player, and she had a great weekend this weekend.

“I know she was really excited that the Bandits drafted her and that’s really where she wanted to go. So it’s just her opportunity to continue to play the game.”

@Nicole_Caporaso

sports@dailytarheel.com