ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan softball head coach  Carol Hutchins announced Tuesday (July 13) the addition of transfer Kristina Burkhardt to the Wolverine program. Burkhardt, a first team All-ACC honoree as an outfielder for North Carolina, will be a graduate student in 2021-22 and have one year of eligibility remaining.

"We are thrilled to add someone with the quality of character and the caliber of player such as Kristina," said Hutchins. "She is a perfect fit for our Michigan softball program and will help us as we pursue our ultimate goal of returning to the Women's College World Series."

Burkhardt, a two-time All-ACC selection, is coming off the most productive season of her collegiate career. She led the Tar Heels in nearly all offensive categories in 2021, batting .333 with a .550 slugging percentage and .407 on-base percentage on her way to second team All-ACC honors. She tallied 40 hits, including 15 for extra bases, and posted 26 runs and 20 RBI. She was also named to the All-ACC first team as a sophomore (2019).

Burkhardt started 174 games in the outfield over her UNC career -- primarily at center over the last two seasons -- after earning a medical-hardship redshirt when her rookie campaign was cut short by injury. She owns a career batting average of .300 with 102 runs scored, 153 hits and 90 RBI. She also ranks among North Carolina's career leaders with 52 stolen bases.

A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Burkhardt was a two-time all-state first team selection for Bishop Dwenger High School and was a Miss Indiana Softball finalist as a senior (2016). She played her travel ball with the Indiana Magic Gold squad. Her older sister, Ashley, previously appeared in Big Ten ballparks as a four-year starter (2012-15) and volunteer coach (2016-17) at Purdue.

Burkhardt graduated from North Carolina this spring with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science and will enter Michigan's School of Social Work graduate program in the fall.