Senior Jen Chamerblin has been able to rack up all sorts of awards since arriving on campus four years ago.
Chamberlin has an ACC Record for home runs, 214 career hits, one All-ACC first team selection and an ACC Championship since arriving at N.C. State.
According to coach Lisa Navas, Chamberlin has set the bar not only for her team this season, but for the entire 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, and I’m just really proud of her.”
Chamberlin’s senior campaign remains consistent with the record-setting numbers she has posted since her 2004 freshman season.
This season Chamberlin started in all 55 games, posted a .311 batting average, tallied 50 hits and six stolen bases. Most notably, perhaps, were her 12 home runs that set the all-time ACC record at 48.
Chamberlin said her fondest memories, however, supersede the statistics and involve winning with her teammates.
“My greatest memory is winning the ACC championship,” Chamberlin said. “That’s something that we knew we could do, but we didn’t know what it was going to feel like.”
Another distinguishing factor for Chamberlin has been her ability to beat a rival. For Chamberlin, beating UNC is a feat she has grown accustomed to experiencing.
“Of course all of our series with Carolina are going to be ones that I remember,” Chamberlin said. “We’re 11-2 beating them, nine straight in a row, and that’s a great accomplishment. It’s a feeling inside yourself that you can’t describe that just feels great to have.”
According to Chamberlin, the greatest obstacle in her career was to adjust from being a designated hitter to a leader on the field.
“The challenge was growing into the player I wanted to be,” Chamberlin said. “I came here just recruited as a hitter and then got moved to third base and just got comfortable there and continued to grow into a motherly leader I am now. Never before did I think I would be the leader or the player I am today.”
In terms of her success in hitting, Chamberlin said she learned early that great softball players don’t let occasional failure affect their confidence.
“Everybody fails in softball,” Chamberlin said. “If you hit the ball three out of 10 times, then you’re a phenomenal hitter. So, you have to know the times you mess up, you just have to keep at it and keep working hard.”
Perhaps one of Chamberlin’s most embracing qualities is her team-oriented mindset. Chamberlin said winning games is far more important than individual success or records.
“I could go 0-10, and of course I’d be frustrated with myself, but if we’re winning, I’m going to be happy,” Chamberlin said.
