Bri Lencz had big shoes to fill when she was tabbed as the primary starting pitcher for Bishop O’Connell this spring. The No. 2 Knights have built a dynasty in Arlington as winners of 22 of the past 28 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships. In recent years, they were anchored by pitcher Katie Kutz, a two-time All Met Player of the Year.
It’s only natural for Lencz, a junior, to feel the pressure of the steep expectations her program commands. But as she steps into the pitching circle and finds her rhythm by hurling fastballs past opposing batters, she feels the weight start to melt from her shoulders.
“I feel like there is pressure, but in the moment I don’t feel anything because I know this group of girls always has my back,” Lencz said. “I trust them. I know they trust me. … We just stick together.”
Lencz has impressed since taking over starting duties for O’Connell (10-0) and has helped pitch the Knights back to the top of the WCAC. On Monday night, Lencz pitched a complete game against defending Virginia Class 6 state champion McLean in a thrilling 7-6 victory for her seventh win of the season.
The George Mason commit has 54 strikeouts in 36⅔ innings. She has thrown two no-hitters.
“Bri has worked so hard, and I am just so happy for her,” O’Connell Coach Suzy Willemssen said. “She has gotten the baton in her hand and has done great with it.”
Lencz sees her levelheadedness inside the pitching circle as one of her biggest strengths. It has helped her handle the pressure of taking over as the Knights’ go-to pitcher and has served as a catalyst for her team’s unbeaten start.
Lencz’s poise was tested by the Highlanders late in Monday’s battle of state champions. After Lencz held McLean, a team loaded with Division I talent, to three runs in the first six innings, the No. 5 Highlanders (11-2) came to life in the seventh and put the winning run on first base with no outs.
“We knew McLean wasn’t going to quit,” Willemssen said. “We had to keep putting pressure on and keep getting runs and not letting up because it wasn’t going to be over until the last out.”
With the game suddenly in jeopardy, Lencz kept a poker face as she retired three straight Highlanders, culminating in a groundout to seal the victory. It was the Knights’ 42nd straight victory dating from the 2022 season.
It was only after the final out and the O’Connell dugout roared in celebration that Lencz let her excitement show. She pulled catcher Ari Clark into a tight hug along the first base line, a nail-biting victory in hand.
“I keep myself poised. I know my team’s got my back even though we had a little struggle at the end,” Lencz said. “I just have to trust my pitching and believe that my defense is right behind me.”
Lencz and the Knights still have a long way to go if they want to extend their postseason dominance. O’Connell has another tough test at unbeaten No. 10 Osbourn Park on Wednesday and will face a host of strong conference opponents to close the regular season.
