Charlotte: Seniors

Carol Buchan

Carol Buchan: after serving as the 49ers' top pinch runner for most of her career, Buchan started the final 6 games of her career and played some outstanding softball. Buchan hit a scorching .333 with 11 hits, including 4 doubles, while driving in 4 runs. Buchan really solidified Charlotte's lineup in the designated player position and the 49ers went 6-3 with her in the starting lineup. During the first two seasons, Buchan was an excellent runner for Coach Aimee DeVos and she found a way to run around the bases and score. Buchan made the most of appearances and she came up with some clutch hits for the 49ers. Buchan showed how hard work and perseverance can pay off and that is something that everyone should take notice of. It is important to show up to the field and practice hard every day and you can find a way into the starting lineup. Buchan's work ethic will be missed at the DL Phillips Complex.

Katy Hackett

Katy Hackett: will go down as one of the top pitchers in Charlotte history and her resiliency in the circle was second to none. Hackett finished her career on a high note, having her best season going 21-12 with a 1.89 ERA and 229 SO in 244.1 innings. The 229 SO are good for third in Charlotte single season history and her 62 career wins are fourth in 49er history. Hackett will go down as one of Charlotte's best pitchers, statistically speaking, but the numbers don't do her justice. She featured a devastating changeup that literally made batters go weak at the knees. The one pitch gave batters fits and she had no problem throwing it in any count. Hackett was named to the A10 All Rookie team in her freshman season and to the A10 2nd team in 2011. She pitched in four Atlantic 10 Tournaments, including a runner up finish in 2008 and two 3rd place finishes. In her final A10 season, she was outstanding in the circle from start to finish. To open up A10 play she defeated UMass 3-2 in an extra inning battle and the toughness and resiliency that she showed were reoccurring themes in her season. In the Atlantic 10 Tournament, she was named to the All Tournament Team after going 2-2 with a 1.36 ERA and 24 SO in 30.2 innings. She found herself in countless tough situations, but everytime she needed to make a big pitch, she executed it. Charlotte is going to miss her presence in the circle and A10 fans will miss her bounce in the circle. Katy Hackett will continue her playing career over in Europe playing for the Vermins in Germany.

Kendra McCall

Kendra McCall: was an excellent slapper for the 49ers and she held down the number two spot in the order very well in her final two seasons. McCall had a breakout season in 2010, hitting .355 with 66 hits and 18 steals. McCall has been an excellent contact hitter for the 49ers, but she also showed that she has some power as well. McCall shocked the conference last year at the Atlantic 10 tournament by pulling a Sara Plourde rise ball out of the park for a HR to give her squad a 2-0 lead. McCall showed that the HR was no fluke, as she hit 2 more this season. McCall has been a steady and consistent performer for the 49ers and while she may not have had her best season statistically speaking in 2011, but she was a big reason why the Charlotte offense was so productive. McCall was also a solid outfielder for Charlotte and she really used her speed to chase down balls in the outfield. The 49ers are going to miss the spunk of McCall and her clutch hitting at the plate.

Tenaya Tucker

Tenaya Tucker: closed her career by having one of the best offensive seasons in Charlotte history. Tucker was always a consistent performer for the 49ers, but in her senior season she elevated her game to a whole other level. Tucker hit .388 with 66 hits, 12 HR, and 47 RBI, which were each career highs. The 12 HR that she hit set a new Charlotte single season mark, while her 47 RBI are tied for second and her .388 batting average is good for third. Tucker was not just a force at the plate, but behind it as well. Tucker was outstanding at catcher for Coach Aimee DeVos, gunning down 22 runners on the bases, in addition to calling the pitches for the 49ers. Tucker was one of the most feared hitters in the A10 this year and she racked up 20 BB, while striking out just 9 times. Tucker held down the three hole in Charlotte's lineup and she really dictated how opposing pitchers threw to the Charlotte lineup, both before and after her. Tucker was consistent, reliable, and productive and above all that she was a leader and Charlotte is going to miss her presence.

Whitney Williams

Whitney Williams: one of the top leadoff hitters in A10 history, Williams was one of the top base stealers in conference history. Williams was a fixture at the top of the 49ers order for her four years at Charlotte. Williams got off to a bit of a slow start in 2011, but she came on strong at the end of the year, finishing with a .305 average with 53 hits and 27 steals. In addition, Williams was an outstanding center fielder for the 49ers, finishing her final campaign with a perfect fielding percentage. She ends her career as Charlotte's single season and career leader in steals with 101. Williams was a excellent slapper, as she could lay down a bunt, beat out an infield hit, or place the ball into the outfield. In 2010, Williams hit .330 en route to setting an A10 single season record for steals with 40. Williams earned All Rookie honors in her freshman year and 1st Team All Conference honors this season. Williams was a consistent performer for the 49ers and Coach DeVos could always count on her to reach base.