Becky Vyzas can do many things on a softball field. She can hit, field and bring a few laughs.
As a fellow University of Tampa player walked to the field, Vyzas joked, “I hate all my teammates, especially that one.”
“I’m a jokester,” Vyzas said. “I like to keep everybody loose.”
Another humorous Vyzas moment came when she couldn’t stop laughing the first time she watched herself bat on YouTube.
However, her opponents find facing Vyzas to be no laughing matter. Her on-field production seems to match her spirit.
Vyzas missed the Spartans’ first 13 games in 2010 with a broken arm. She came back strong, posting a .339 average with 2 home runs through her first 21 games. Though she went hitless in a series against Florida Southern, Vyzas still leads the team by batting .286.
Vyzas delivered the Spartans’ biggest hit of the season on March 20 against Lynn. Down by three runs in the 7th inning, she stepped up with the bases loaded looking to extend the rally. She launched a walk-off grand slam over the left field fence, a part of the UT ballpark almost nobody reaches.
“I was just looking to get a hit,” Vyzas said. “Everyone was counting on me to get that extra hit. I never expected to hit a grand slam, but I think it was due.”
With Vyzas behind the plate as the Spartans catcher, UT pitchers have allowed the second fewest runs in the Sunshine State Conference. They credit her with some of their success.
Kari Walsh said she has a “great relationship” with her catcher and that Vyzas often keeps her in the game. Heather Van Landingham said she is good at framing pitches, giving her extra strikes.
After making only three errors in 2009, Vyzas has thrown out 5 of 12 runners attempting to steal and maintains a perfect fielding percentage this year. She has accomplished this despite not catching until she was 14. Before that, she played baseball as a pitcher and second baseman.
Even with the strong numbers, Vyzas still believes she’s “not all the way back” from her arm injury. She may be back to form by next season, for which she is optimistic.
“With the team we have, we can do well once we get more pitchers,” Vyzas said. “Heather will be leaving, but Deanna [Henriott] is coming back. I think we can make it a bit farther than we have. Hopefully we’ll get past regionals next year.”
Vyzas has two years left after this season. She plans on continuing to hit, field and lighten spirits for the Spartans for as long as she’s eligible.
“I’ve been in love with UT since I was little,” Vyzas said. “My teammates are like family, like the sisters I never had.”