Lilli Backes

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Photo by: Andy Mead/UNC Athletics

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Photo by: Andy Mead

Photo by: Mackenzie Miles/UGA Athletics

Photo by: Lauren Staff

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Accolades:

AS A SOPHOMORE (2023):

Made a team-high 39 appearances in the circle, starting 33 games
Led the Tar Heels with a 2.79 ERA in 180.2 innings pitched and 156 strikeouts
Finished the season with a 16-14 record, tossing 15 complete games with five shutouts
Held a 11-4 record and 2.15 ERA in ACC play, throwing eight complete games with four shutouts
Threw a complete game shutout vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech (3/1/23), limiting the Hokies to just three hits with five strikeouts
Struck out a career-best 10 batters at NC State (4/21/23)
Earned first career save at NC State (4/23/23)

AS A FRESHMAN (2022):

Made a team-high 31 appearances in the circle, starting 21 games
Led the team with 114.2 innings pitched and 95 strikeouts
Earned first career win at South Carolina, allowing no runs and just two hits in 3.2 innings of work with four strikeouts
Recorded a season-high seven strikeouts three times: vs. Missouri (2/18/22). at Liberty (3/16/22), at Louisville (4/8/22)
Earned a complete game victory vs. No. 4 Florida State (4/16/22), limiting the Seminoles to just one run and three hits
Threw five complete games
Finished with a 8-14 record
All-ACC Academic Honor Roll

HIGH SCHOOL:

A four-year letter winner at Starr's Mill High School for coach Mark Williamson
A three-time region pitcher of the year and three-time first-team all-state selection, Backes finished her high school career with 912 career strikeouts
As a junior and senior she was named the 5A and Region Pitcher of the Year, and lead her team to a 2021 Region 2-AAAAA State Championship title
Graduated early in December 2021 to enroll at UNC

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