University of North Carolina Athletics
Around The Horn: Pitching
January 31, 2017 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – Arguably the biggest storyline of the 2017 Tar Heels is the depth of the pitching staff. After an early-season injury to Sydney Matzko put the weight of the team on the shoulders of Kendra Lynch in 2016, the pair are both back in action this spring and joined by three talented freshmen, Kellyn Daly, Brittany Pickett and Hannah Nommensen. The five-player staff features three right-handed pitchers and two lefties, further adding to the Tar Heels' versatility in the circle.
“I am excited about the staff we have this year,” said Tar Heel pitching coach Chelsey Barclay. “It is a combination of two veterans with a lot of in-game experience and three freshmen who are eager to make their mark as they enter their first season. The addition of our newcomers I feel provides the needed depth to withstand the season and to achieve our goals of reaching regionals and beyond.
“You can look for all five of them to be in the circle at some point in the year. Their individual strengths combined will make one strong pitching staff and one that is hard to beat. I am excited to see this group compete together this year and for years to come.”
Kendra Lynch – Sr. – L/R – Indianapolis, Ind.
- Pitched 80% of Carolina's innings in 2017, setting five single-season records: appearances (53), starts (47), innings (301.1), complete games (33) and batters faced (1,373)
- Went 28-19 with a save and five shutouts, ranking seventh in the nation in wins
- Posted a 3.88 ERA with 170 strikeouts with just 97 walks
- Proved power in the offensive lineup as well, hitting .321 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .595 slugging percentage
- All-ACC First Team
- Three-time ACC Pitcher of the Week
- All-ACC Academic Team
Barclay on Lynch: “Kendra established herself as an everyday starter and someone who can bare the load of an entire season on her shoulders. She will be back this year to close out her senior season on an even higher note than her junior year. She continues to work daily to prepare herself for what's to come. A true leader, Kendra has stepped up to fill the roles of the six seniors we lost last year. I am excited to see all she can accomplish with a support staff behind her, keeping her fresh throughout the year to lead herself and her team to a record-breaking year.”
Sydney Matzko – R-So. – L/L – Torrington, Conn.
- Made eight appearances in 2016 before missing the remainder of the year with an injury
- Among her five starts was a five-inning, two-hit shutout over IUPUI
- Made 30 appearances as a true freshman in 2015, going 14-5 with a team-leading 2.39 ERA and 77 strikeouts
- Allowed just one hit over 7.1 innings of work in an extra-innings combined shutout victory over Boston College on March 15, 2015
Barclay on Matzko: “Sydney is coming back from a redshirt year and she is excited and determined to be back competing. She has put in a ton of work over the course of the past year and she is ready to be back. She is a fierce competitor and the team needs her to step up and be a leader on the field this year. Always wanting the ball, Syd exemplifies what it is to truly love the game and compete to win. I am thrilled to have her back and working alongside Kendra. Those two will be hard to beat this year.”
Kellyn Daly – Fr. – R/R – Omaha, Neb. – Marian High School
- Finalist for the 2016 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year
- Two-time All-State First Team and Class A First Team
- Went 26-3 with a 0.80 ERA and 292 strikeouts as a senior at Marian High School to lead the Crusaders to their first-ever state title
- Registered a 1.22 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in her final season of travel ball with the Nebraska Gold
Barclay on Daly: “Kellyn adds a different look than what we have seen from our staff in the past. Having good spin is what it takes to prevent hitters from squaring up the ball well and that is one of Kellyn's strengths. She is like a sponge and always trying to learn new skills to add to her repertoire. I cannot wait to see her success this spring.”
Hannah Nommensen – Fr. – R/R – Gurnee, Ill. – Warren Township High School
- Graduated a semester early from high school to join Carolina this January and make an immediate impact in 2017
- Two-time all-conference first team selection
- A hard-throwing righty, she totaled 733 strikeouts over three years and registered a sub-1.00 ERA in each of her first two seasons
- Led Warren Township High School to the 2014 Super-Sectional 4A title and a Regional Championship in 2015
Barclay on Nommensen: “Hannah has just joined us this semester and is quickly getting up to speed. She is a quick learner and is learning to mature and handle a lot that has been thrown at her in a very short time frame. I believe she will continue to grow and get better throughout the season, while competing and complimenting the rest of the Tar Heel staff. Although young, Hannah adds a lot of experience in innings. She is game savvy and will be able to contribute right away.”
Brittany Pickett – Fr. – L/L – Indian Trail, N.C. – Sun Valley High School
- Named Most Valuable Player of the 2014 NCHSAA 3A State Playoffs after leading Sun Valley High School to the North Carolina state title
- Two-time NCSCA All-State and three-time All-District
- Four-time all-conference including the 2014 conference pitcher of the year
- 2014 Charlotte Observer Player of the Year
- Went 51-16 over three seasons in the circle with a 1.67 ERA and 305 strikeouts as a senior
- A power-hitter at the plate, she batted over .450 in each of her final three high school seasons with 29 home runs and 91 RBIs
Barclay on Pickett: “Brittany adds another lefty arm to our pitching staff. She has tremendous strength and unlimited potential. She has what it takes to perform at this level and do it well. It has been amazing to see Brittany's development over the past couple of months going from being a thrower to a pitcher. I am eager to see all she can do this year and for years to come, especially if she continues to progress at the rate she has thus far.”
