After Charlotte walked senior Jen Chamberlin both times at bat in the first of two games Tuesday, Chamberlin stepped to the plate in the first inning of the second game and blasted a three-run homer over the center field fence.
This was not an unfamiliar feeling for Chamberlin, as it was her 12th home run of the season and the 48th of her career, further distancing herself from other players as the ACC’s all-time leading home run hitter.
According to coach Lisa Navas, Chamberlin’s powerful batting has set a tone not only for the season, but for the program.
“She always has set the tone for the program,” Navas said. “She’s always hit the ball a ton and does a good job. She usually hits most of her home runs during ACC play, which is March and April. I’m really proud of her. She’s hit some bombs, and she’s hit some cheap ones. But it works out for us.”
Chamberlin said setting the ACC record against Boston College was exciting and somewhat of a relief.
“It’s an awesome feeling, and it’s something that I’ve wanted for a really long time. And I’m glad that I accomplished it,” Chamberlin said. “I’m kind of happy that it’s in the past and that I can move on and pull farther away.”
Chamberlin said a large part of being a senior leader has been taking freshmen in, not just hitting home runs.
“Playing for four years, I think it’s my job to set momentum for the younger girls,” Chamberlin said. “I am a leader in looking at them. [Allison] Presnell is my freshman that I’m trying to get her confidence up and telling her things that I’ve experienced in the four years. I think that helps everybody out.”
According to Navas, there is a core group of seniors, along with Chamberlin, that help lead the Wolfpack (29-16) to success.
“We have a couple catalysts,” Navas. “[Senior] Heather Gelbard hitting the ball. Abbie [Sims] shutting them down or Shaina [Ervin] shutting the door. We’ve gotten some sparks from a lot of different people.”
Navas said that though several players hit well in Tuesday’s outing, Chamberlin continues to set the pace and build momentum among the team’s women.
“We try to take it one bat at a time,” Navas said. “But Jen always ignites something when she hits the ball that hard.”
