Kendra Lynch pitches two complete-game shutouts during Texas Classic

The North Carolina softball team might not have come away from the Texas Classic this weekend with a winning record, but it found a bright spot in junior pitcher Kendra Lynch.

In UNC’s season-opening weekend in Austin, Texas, the Tar Heels went 2-3.

“The first weekend, we really try to find out a little more about our team and kind of figure out lineups and things like that,” Coach Donna Papa said.

Lynch, who started 43-of-51 appearances in the outfield in 2015, was the starting pitcher for Friday’s season-opening 9-0 win against North Dakota State and Sunday’s 5-0 win over Arkansas.

With the departure of ace Kaylee Carlson — who transferred to Auburn this offseason — Lynch hoped to fill the void.

“I knew this was going to have to be a really big role for me to fill and step into,” Lynch said. “I like playing other positions, but I loved it this weekend … I really enjoy this role and where I’m at right now.”

In Friday’s first game, the Tar Heels dominated the Thundar behind Lynch, who allowed just one hit while striking out a career-high seven batters in her second career complete-game shutout.

Offensively, it was a team affair, as every Tar Heel in the starting lineup collected a hit.

The Tar Heels weren’t as offensively loaded in Friday’s second game — an eight-inning battle against Texas.

UNC took an early 4-1 lead in the top of the second inning after senior Kristen Brown hit a three-run shot, but the Longhorns ultimately tied the game at 5 in the bottom of the fifth.

Coming in relief of starting pitcher Sydney Matzko, Lynch inherited two runners, who both scored to tie the game. The Tar Heels went on to lose 6-5 in the bottom of the eighth, as Lynch gave up a bases-loaded walk.

North Carolina lost both of its games on Saturday, dropping a second game against Texas 7-6 and losing to the Thundar 5-2.

Lynch started the second game against Texas, pitching six innings while giving up four earned runs.

UNC ended the weekend on a high note, as Lynch threw her second complete-game shutout in three days against Arkansas.

Lynch said she felt comfortable this weekend and attributed her success to making opposing teams feel off balance with a variety of pitches.

“I was changing their vision going up, but then I was getting them off balance with my off-speed,” Lynch said.

And although the weekend didn’t go as planned at times, Brown said she anticipates good things to come with the rest of the season.

“Obviously we didn’t win as many games as we wanted to win, but the hitting was good and the pitching was good,” she said. “We just didn’t make key plays at the right time.”

@Nicole_Caporaso

sports@dailytarheel.com