Correction: In a previous version of this article, the year Sydney O’Hara started off her high school career with two no-hitters was misstated. O’Hara began her senior season with two no-hitters. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

Sydney O’Hara wasn’t looking to make history, but that’s exactly what she did.

O’Hara, a freshman pitcher out of Cicero, N.Y., threw a no-hitter in her collegiate debut, making her one of seven players for Syracuse to ever accomplish the feat. O’Hara struck out 12 hitters through six innings, and walked just one in a 9-0 shutout of Austin Peay on Friday in the Orange’s first game of the season.

“Within the first inning was probably when I knew it was going to be a good day,” O’Hara said. “I thought to myself, ‘I’m dead on today. This is going to be good.’”

SU head coach Leigh Ross said O’Hara approaches the game with a poise and determination beyond her years. While some of the team’s other pitchers have more of a calm and stoic approach, O’Hara is very passionate and aggressive and has an attack mentality.

And she didn’t waste any time showing that to her new team.

“When we told Syd she would be throwing the first game, I knew she would be super nervous, but she handled herself well,” Ross said. “As soon as the game started, there was this look on her face.”

Though she didn’t expect to find that kind of success so soon, the star freshman took the mound with confidence. O’Hara opened her senior season in high school two straight no-hitters, so the performance was nothing new.

“Sydney really had her best stuff going,” freshman catcher Nicole Lundstrom said. “It was a fun game to catch.”

Based on her performance so far this season, O’Hara won’t just contribute for Syracuse on the mound. She had herself quite the day at the plate in her no-hitter, recording three hits and a pair of RBIs.

O’Hara carried the Orange to a blowout win with her performance both on the mound and at bat, which made for a debut that people won’t soon forget.

“I’m kind of happy I made history,” she said, “but like I said before, that wasn’t my goal. I was just looking to get the win. But yeah, I’m happy it happened.”

Ross predicts O’Hara will be in the lineup every game for the Orange, whether that’s on the mound, as a designated player or at first base. O’Hara’s currently slotted at the No. 2 spot in the lineup, and it’s clear she’s capable of being a complete player for the Orange.

She can hit, field and it’s now clear that she can pitch, as well.

Ross said she expects big things from O’Hara this year. Syracuse is going to rely on her to throw major innings, as well as hit and field, which will certainly help the Orange moving forward.

When asked about her final thoughts on the historic day, O’Hara said it was amazing. Syracuse has been her dream college since seventh grade, after living nearby her whole life.

“I don’t expect to throw a no-hitter every time out,” O’Hara said, “but it gave me a lot of confidence and that will help carry over to other games this season.

“I know that I can pitch at this level.”

Published on February 12, 2014 at 2:17 am

Contact Liam: lpsull01@syr.edu