Brown Represents United States At World Cup XI

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two-time All-America shortstop Kristen Brown became the first Tar Heel in program history to represent the Red, White and Blue this past week, playing for the USA Softball Women’s Elite Team at the World Cup of Softball XI held July 5-10, 2016, in Oklahoma City. The recent Carolina graduate led USA Elite to Sunday’s bronze medal game, where the Red, White and Blue was edged by Australia, 4-3.

Brown appeared in five games for the Elite team, batting .400 on the week with a .571 on base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage. The four-time All-ACC shortstop went 2-for-5 with a double, two walks and three runs scored and made two starts at third base.

The All-America infielder made her first career appearance in Red, White and Blue on July 5 against the Czech Republic, playing the final inning at third base. Brown took her first at-bat the following day against Mexico, tallying a pinch-hit single and scoring as part of USA Elite’s 17-run third inning as the United States trounced Mexico, 17-0.

The ACC’s all-time home run leader started at third base on July 9 against New Zealand and reached base all three times with a first-inning double followed by a pair of walks and two runs scored to lead USA Elite to a 13-0 rout of the Kiwis.

Brown returned to the diamond in a big moment later in the day, pinch hitting against Japan in the top of the seventh. With two runners on, two outs and the score tied 2-2, UNC’s career RBI leader stepped up to the plate and ripped one to the left side, but the third baseman snagged the sinking line drive to retire Brown for the first time all week.

Brown started at third base once again on Sunday, July 10, facing Australia in the bronze medal game. For the second straight game, USA Elite dropped a heart-breaker in the bottom of the seventh, as Brown went 0-for-2 in the Red, White and Blue’s 4-3 loss.

Japan took home the gold medal at the 11th-annual World Cup, defeating the U.S. Senior National Team, 2-1, in the title game.