After a 23-17 record last season, the University of Tampa softball team has higher hopes for this season.
“You’re never satisfied with not making the postseason, but considering our top pitcher [Deanna Henriott] was out most of the season and we only had one player bat over .300, finishing third in the conference wasn’t so bad,” said Head Coach Leslie Kanter, who is in her 17th season as the Spartans’ coach.
Fortunately for the Spartans, the lone player to bat above .300 is returning this season for her junior year at UT.
Catcher Becky Vyzas batted .312 in 27 games in 2010 as a sophomore, while maintaining a .993 fielding percentage behind the plate.
She was also one of two key Spartans who were injured in 2010, as she missed 13 games due to a bum wrist.
Deanna Henriott, now a junior, received a medical redshirt in 2010 because of a torn labrum in her hip, which kept her sidelined for the entire season.
Last year’s team was 1-6 against ranked opponents and despite ending the season on a four game winning streak, they went 5-7 in their last 12 games.
Senior outfielder Cassie Barnes felt last year’s struggles had a lot to do with injuries and the team’s lack of hitting.
“Injuries held us back last year, but we just didn’t hit the ball. That has to change this year,” said Barnes.
The team opens up this season on Saturday, Feb. 12 with a doubleheader against Bowie State. After those two games, the team goes on the road and doesn’t play another home game for nearly a full month.
“We don’t mind traveling early, because traveling later on can lead to more fatigue. Traveling and winning, that’s our goal,” said Kanter.
The head coach took an analytical look at this year’s Spartan team.
“I’m really excited about this year’s team. Our goal is to win the conference, and we have the talent to do so if we stay healthy. And that’s a big ‘if.’ We’re not as deep as we’d like to be, especially in the infield.”
Coach Kanter expects the top of her lineup to step it up this season, and really focus on hitting the ball.
“We want our top five hitters to hit .320 or .330, and then we can really make some noise,” she said.
The overall team had a .244 batting average last season, but they feel like they can turn that around this season.
“I was really disappointed with myself last season. I want to hit over .300 this year and do my part in carrying the team towards a conference championship, and maybe even regionals and nationals,” said Barnes.
“The recipe for winning is simple; we just have to play together. That means we have to make less errors, pitch well and hit the ball, but most importantly, play together as a team.
The women Spartans were ranked second in the Sunshine State Conference preseason polls, and are eager to get the season under way.
“I’m always a little bit nervous before the first game, but once the first pitch is thrown, the nerves settle. I really wanna go out with a fun season this year, and maybe coach little league or something down the road,” said Barnes.
The UT softball team hasn’t won the SSC since 2001, but they have their eyes on the SSC championship for this year.
Rollins, however, is as tough as ever and is not going to make it easy on them.
The team will be in action on Feb. 12 at noon and 2 p.m. as the Spartans take on Bowie State.
John Hilsenroth can be reached at jhilsenroth@spartans.ut.edu.