University of North Carolina Athletics
2025 Softball Pitcher Preview
January 30, 2025 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Second-year softball head coach Megan Smith Lyon has a lot to look forward to in the circle this season with the Tar Heels' top three innings eaters in 2024 returning for the 2025 season.
Last season Carolina pitched to the tune of a 3.66 ERA with 207 strikeouts, with 169 of those strikeouts returning, pitching looks to be a strength for the Tar Heels in 2025.
Kenna Raye Dark led the team with 109.2 innings pitched in 2024. She had a 2.94 ERA and an 8-7 record in 17 starts. She racked up 11 complete games. Dark's .727 left on base percentage is the second best amongst returners who averaged one inning pitched per game.
Nikki Harris returns after a stellar freshman season, where she led the team in ERA (2.72), FIP (2.58), LOB% (.795), K% (.245), BB% (.041), WHIP (1.02), SIERA (3.38), shutouts (2), hits allowed (46), earned runs allowed (21) and walks allowed (9) and was second in strikeouts (54) amongst qualified pitchers. She threw 54 innings last season. In her first career complete game shutout she struck out a career-high 13, allowing just four hits.
Britton Rogers comes back after throwing the ninth perfect game in program history last season. On the season she led the team with 55 strikeouts in only 57 innings. Her BABIP (.243) was best on the team last season, and she also had the second best slugging percentage against (.388).
Janelle Wilson is back in Chapel Hill after throwing 12.1 innings last season and striking out four along the way.
Lilly Parrish is set to make her debut in Carolina blue, coming in as a top-20 ranked recruit by ExtraInnings. The two-way player was a four-year letter winner at Hanover High School, where she earned 2024 first team all-state, all-metro and all-region honors and was named Region 4B Pitcher of the Year.
Alexandra Bacher arrives in Chapel Hill from Ridgefield, Conn., where she was a four-year letter winner. She was named to the Fairchester Athletic Association All-League team three times.
Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
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Last season Carolina pitched to the tune of a 3.66 ERA with 207 strikeouts, with 169 of those strikeouts returning, pitching looks to be a strength for the Tar Heels in 2025.
Kenna Raye Dark led the team with 109.2 innings pitched in 2024. She had a 2.94 ERA and an 8-7 record in 17 starts. She racked up 11 complete games. Dark's .727 left on base percentage is the second best amongst returners who averaged one inning pitched per game.
Nikki Harris returns after a stellar freshman season, where she led the team in ERA (2.72), FIP (2.58), LOB% (.795), K% (.245), BB% (.041), WHIP (1.02), SIERA (3.38), shutouts (2), hits allowed (46), earned runs allowed (21) and walks allowed (9) and was second in strikeouts (54) amongst qualified pitchers. She threw 54 innings last season. In her first career complete game shutout she struck out a career-high 13, allowing just four hits.
Britton Rogers comes back after throwing the ninth perfect game in program history last season. On the season she led the team with 55 strikeouts in only 57 innings. Her BABIP (.243) was best on the team last season, and she also had the second best slugging percentage against (.388).
Janelle Wilson is back in Chapel Hill after throwing 12.1 innings last season and striking out four along the way.
Lilly Parrish is set to make her debut in Carolina blue, coming in as a top-20 ranked recruit by ExtraInnings. The two-way player was a four-year letter winner at Hanover High School, where she earned 2024 first team all-state, all-metro and all-region honors and was named Region 4B Pitcher of the Year.
Alexandra Bacher arrives in Chapel Hill from Ridgefield, Conn., where she was a four-year letter winner. She was named to the Fairchester Athletic Association All-League team three times.
Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
RHP
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RHP/UTL
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