The following information is courtesy of Michigan softball…
University of Michigan softball head coach Carol Hutchins announced Tuesday (July 13) the addition of transfer Kristina Burkhardt to the Wolverine program.
Burkhardt, a first team All-ACC honoree as an outfielder for North Carolina, will be a graduate student in 2021-22 and have one year of eligibility remaining.
“We are thrilled to add someone with the quality of character and the caliber of player such as Kristina,” said Hutchins. “She is a perfect fit for our Michigan softball program and will help us as we pursue our ultimate goal of returning to the Women’s College World Series.”
SIGNED | Welcome to the family, @k_burkHEART! #NewBlue #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/E9CbMPBXvn
— Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) July 13, 2021
Burkhardt, a two-time All-ACC selection, is coming off the most productive season of her collegiate career.
She led the Tar Heels in nearly all offensive categories in 2021, batting .333 with a .550 slugging percentage and .407 on-base percentage on her way to second team All-ACC honors. She tallied 40 hits, including 15 for extra bases, and posted 26 runs and 20 RBI. She was also named to the All-ACC first team as a sophomore (2019).
The athlete started 174 games in the outfield over her UNC career — primarily at center over the last two seasons — after earning a medical-hardship redshirt when her rookie campaign was cut short by injury. She owns a career batting average of .300 with 102 runs scored, 153 hits and 90 RBI. She also ranks among North Carolina’s career leaders with 52 stolen bases.
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Burkhardt was a two-time all-state first team selection for Bishop Dwenger High School and was a Miss Indiana Softball finalist as a senior (2016). She played her travel ball with the Indiana Magic Gold squad. Her older sister, Ashley, previously appeared in Big Ten ballparks as a four-year starter (2012-15) and volunteer coach (2016-17) at Purdue.
Burkhardt graduated from North Carolina this spring with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science and will enter Michigan’s School of Social Work graduate program in the fall.
