#88SSY Check-Ins: Kelley Lynch, Washington Husky softball
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards, hosted by the Seattle Sports Commission, are the place to be for all things Seattle sports and their accomplishments on and off the field of play. Whether that be professionally or collegiately, the awards show features the biggest athletes, media, and sports personality to grace the Pacific Northwest from the past, the present, and the future. Converge Media and Circling Seattle Sports were on site at the Westin Downtown Seattle to get the sights and sounds of the night, including six sit-downs with athletes from differing teams, and a separate sit down with a mascot. The fourth interview of the night was with University of Washington softball pitcher and infielder, Kelley Lynch.
Kelley Lynch, Washington Husky softball pitcher and infielder, sits down with Charles Hamaker of Circling Seattle Sports and Converge Media (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Lynch, a senior at the University of Washington, was brought along to the Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards by teammate Baylee Klingler, who was nominated for an award at the event. The Newman, Georgia native seemed to be taking the whole night in and while she was a guest of Klingler that night, deserves her own recognition for her contributions to the Husky softball program. Lynch has been part of the Husky pitching staff and will take more responsibility this season after workhorse and program legend Gabbie Plain graduated, while also holding down first base for the Huskies when she isn’t on the mound. A solid hitter, interestingly enough Lynch has been named to the PAC-12’s All-Freshman team twice (yes, you read that correctly and no you don’t need to borrow my glasses) because of the 2020 shortened season. Lynch will be a key piece of the rotation and at the plate this season for the Huskies, a program trying to return to the postseason and do some damage.
“Well, today’s all about Baylee. I’m here supporting Baylee, she’s up for a female athlete for the Seattle region. I’m just super proud of her and just honored to be here and experience all the support Seattle has to offer for sports, such as UW softball.”
“We actually have a freshman, Ruby Meylan, just won PAC 12, Freshman of the Week. So that’s super awesome. Obviously, here honoring Baylee, who was PAC-12 Player of the Year. As far as accolades go, I think they’re gonna keep coming for people in our program. But just as a team, I think our culture is so strong and our team chemistry this year is so good adding, four freshmen, to transfers. It’s been really electric so far this year, so I’m excited to see what else we can do”
Special thanks to The Elite Collective for their outstanding video production on behalf of Converge Media.