Brown Captures NPF Championship With Chicago Bandits

Two-time All-America shortstop Kristen Brown ’16 added another title to her collection on Aug. 23, as she helped the Chicago Bandits to their second consecutive National Pro FastpitchChampionship, bringing the Cowles Cup back to the Windy City.

Brown went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI in game two of the three-game series against the USSSA Pride, then earned her first professional championship the following night in a 2-1 victory. The 24th overall pick in the 2016 NPF College Draft, Brown slugged .446 with four doubles, five home runs and 11 RBIs in her first professional season with the Bandits.

The ACC’s all-time career home run leader became the 14th Tar Heel to play professional softball for the NPF over the summer and was the first to win the Cowles Cup since Christine Knauer scored a run in the first inning to help the Bandits defeat the Pride in the 2011 Championship Series finale.

GoHeels.com checked in with the decorated Tar Heel alum after her successful summer in Chicago:

What were some of the biggest differences between college and professional softball, and how did you adjust to and navigate through those challenges?

The biggest challenge was the level of pitching. Every pitcher you face was the best of the best in college. Being a rookie, I hadn’t seen many of these pitchers before. Learning what they threw and their pitch sequences as the season went on helped me adjust. I turned to the veterans on the team to give me some tips and to guide me to an appropriate game plan. In addition, having a very strong work-ethic and being motivated to grow was what helped me find success.

How do you feel you have grown, on and off the field, through your experience playing with the Bandits?

Every time I step out onto the field my goal is to grow as a player. I am a student of the game and will never give up an opportunity to learn and further develop my skill set. I am constantly asking questions and absorbing as much information as possible. Playing at the highest level, I took advantage of the resources that were around me. I was privileged to be around some of the most talented people in the game, so I didn't take that for granted. Off the field, I grew as a person. The Bandits tradition is about giving back to the community and growing the game of softball for the next generations to come. From putting on camps and clinics to hospital visits, we made sure to invest our free time into showing the youth that achieving success and following your dreams is possible.

Were there any players or coaches in particular that you connected with over the summer who helped you or that you learned from?

My coaches and teammates were all supportive and very selfless. Everyone wanted what was best for the team. It was a ‘we’ over ‘me’ culture. The girls before us laid out a legacy that consisted of winning, tradition, grit and unity, and nothing can beat that combination. Though I’ve built many connections among the Bandits family, Brittany Cervantes, ‘Cerv’, and Danielle Zymkowitz, ‘Z’, were two in particular that took me under their wing and really instilled these values in the team. These two veterans were a big reason we were able to overcome adversity and win an NPF title. They reminded us to stick to the process and that with hard work and trust we could do big things.

How did your experiences at North Carolina prepare you to play professional softball?

My experiences at North Carolina overly prepared me for my first professional softball season. The UNC softball program has identical values to the Chicago Bandits, which made my transition that much smoother. I am honored to have come from a university that holds their athletes to the highest standards of respect and excellence. Anyone that graduates from The University of North Carolina leaves a better person and is instantly ready for the next chapter in life. Throughout my college career I grew to become an effective leader, I learned how to motivate and encourage others around me, and I developed into the best version of myself. I will continue to use these traits during my softball career and for the rest of my life.

Walk us through your first day with the Bandits. What was going through your head when you put on that jersey for the first time or stepped out onto the field for the first time as a professional athlete?

I had butterflies driving my car from North Carolina to Chicago knowing that I was about to become a professional athlete. I had worked my whole life for this moment and it was finally about to come true. After arriving, I walked into the locker room to find my Bandits jerseys hanging up with my name and number on the back. I was immediately filled with emotions and began to think about my journey and how I got to where I was. Putting on my jersey and stepping out onto the field for the first time reminded me that all the hard work I put in and the sacrifices I’ve made throughout the years were all worth it. It was an awesome feeling to be able to share this moment with the other rookies who were feeling the same thing. The Chicago Bandits also have the most dedicated and supportive fans in professional softball. Every home game gets my adrenaline pumping because the atmosphere is alive. The Ballpark at Rosemont is by far one of my favorite stadiums to compete at.

How about after your first professional home run?

It was an exciting moment. Coming around the bases, high-fiving Coach Stu at third, and then seeing my teammates cheering for me at home plate was a cool feeling. At the professional level, home runs don't come as often as they did in college. The level of play is that much higher and the pitchers are very experienced. It was a very big deal for me to hit my first home run, because any opportunity to get on base and score a run for the team is huge.

What stands out as the most memorable moment from the summer?

Winning an NPF championship was one of the most memorable moments from the summer and of my life. This was one of my favorite teams to play on. We clicked and gelled as a family on the field and were even better friends off the field. Looking in from an outsider’s perspective, no one knows how much work we put in and how many obstacles we had to overcome.  At one point in the season we had an 8-game losing streak with no runs scored. We didn't turn our backs at this time, instead we bought in, stuck to the process, and fought together. No matter the outcome of the season, I was proud to represent the Bandits and to be a part of this organization. In the end, the dog pile on Shelby, the confetti falling on us, jumping in the pool in our uniforms, celebrating afterwards and most importantly, bringing the Cowles Cup back to Rosemont made it that much better.

There are very few opportunities out there. What does it mean to you to be a female professional athlete in the United State?

It is an honor to be a female professional athlete. When I was little I looked up to players like Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley and to be able to play on the same stage that they did means that anything is possible if you set goals for yourself. I love the fact that I am able to continue my softball career. Professional softball is not something you can make a living off of right now, but hopefully with the growth of the sport, it can become that one day. I play the sport because I love it and get the opportunity to make memories every day, along with inspiring the youth. I love that every time I step out onto the field I can make an impact on young girls lives that want to become professional athletes. I hope to be a role model for young female athletes that are dreaming big like I once was.

What advice would you give you a younger player who dreams of playing in college and beyond?

I would tell them that anything is possible, as long as they are willing to put in the effort. One of my favorite quotes is, “In the heat of battle, you don't rise to your level, you sink to the habits you have created in your practices.” This statement is so true because you ultimately compete how you train. The habits that you form in practice are the ones that come out when the game is on the line. There are many bits of advice that I could give to a young player, but I think it is so important to take advantage of all the opportunities you have to get better.

Is there anyone in particular you would like to thank for helping you to get where you are today?

I wouldn't be where I am today without the support staff that surrounds me. Everyone that I have been around has influenced and developed me into the person and player I am today. I have had so many coaches throughout the years, but have learned something that has made me better from all of them. The biggest motivators and supporters in my life have been my family. I would not be where I am today without them and the sacrifices they’ve made. My parents are just as dedicated to the sport as I am. I could go on forever about how thankful I am that they have ridden this journey right by my side. They have truly been my backbones throughout this whole process.