She played college softball at Arizona State, and won a national championship with the team in 2008 and was named Most Outstanding Player.
Burkhart began her freshman year with a top-5 season strikeouts record and throwing a no-hitter on March 4, 2005, vs. the San Diego State Aztecs.
Later on April 14, Burkhart won a 10-inning duel with Alicia Hollowell and the Arizona Wildcats to combine for an NCAA record 37 strikeouts.
[9] The Sun Devils made it to that year's Women's College World Series and had a win over the Oregon State Beavers but eventually were eliminated by the Tennessee Vols in extra innings on June 3, 2006.
[16][17] Burkhart achieved the conference pitching Triple Crown for her strikeouts, wins and ERA (the two latter both career best).
Her shutouts, WHIP and strikeout ratio (11.3) were also career highs and together with her wins set new school records; in addition, her ERA was ranked in the top-10 also for a season.
[20] Arizona State won the 2008 Women's College World Series, and Burkhart was named the Most Outstanding Player on June 3 vs. the Texas A&M Aggies.
[25] During the summer of 2007, Burkhart also competed in the Amateur Softball Association with other college players on the Stratford Brakettes.
[26] On February 18, 2008, before her final season at Arizona State, Burkhart was selected first overall in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft.
For the American offseason, Burkhart commenced her rookie season in the Japan Softball League, for Toyota Shokki - the team Michelle Smith has played with for 16 years.
In 2006, Burkhart was part of an American team of college players that won gold at the 2006 World University Games in Taiwan.
[21] She made her first appearance at the 2009 Canada Cup and combined with Jennie Finch to pitch a no-hitter against the Netherlands, which the United States won 8–0 in five innings due to the run rule.