The University of Tampa softball team started off their 2011 season perfectly. After missing the entire 2010 season due to a torn left hip labrum, red-shirt junior Deanna Henriott retired all 15 batters that she faced, striking out 11, in the team’s debut. That was Henriott’s third no hitter, but first perfect game, and only the second perfect game in UT’s history.
Henriott said that prior to last season, she had pitched for about a full year with severe pain in her hip. Eventually she tore her left hip labrum and was forced to redshirt all of the 2010 season. That injury hit the team hard, because the two years prior to it, Henriott was a top pitcher in Division II softball.
“She (Henriott) could have definitely gone D-I. That girl has some arm on her,” said Head Coach Leslie Kanter.
College scouts started hearing serious buzz about Henriott when she ranked second in the county in ERA as a sophomore in high school.
Her junior year she went 19-4, striking out a dazzling 333 batters, compiling five no-hitters, including back-to-back perfect games. In her senior year, she went 19-2 with an ERA of 0.06.
That microscopic ERA led her to UT, where she was able to make a smooth transition into college ball.
Henriott set the UT school record with 251 strikeouts her freshman year. She was able to take on the roll of the ace right away, and struck batters out with ease.
Henriott threw no-hitters in each of her first two seasons. However, the hip pain increased, and eventually led to the torn labrum. Forced to miss the 2010 season, Henriott pitched three times a week for six months while undergoing rehab.
Her first game back, she threw the second perfect game in UT’s history.
“I really didn’t know until coach said anything,” said Henriott. “It was really amazing to pitch a perfect game, because no-hitters are just on me where perfect games can’t be thrown without defense. I owe it to my defense, the infield especially.”
Pitch location is the main reason of how Henriott has been so successful.
“Her fastball has a natural movement to it, and her curve and changeup have really developed, but she can put the ball almost anywhere she wants at times, and that’s what sets her apart,” said Kanter. “We’ll see how good her hip is when she pitches three games in a row a little bit later in the season.”
Henriott spoke of the injury that plagued her all last season, and her recovery.
“I am definitely fully recovered, and all of the pain is gone,” said Henriott. “I would just like to thank all of those who supported me, especially my coaches. I couldn’t have done it without [them] all.”
Heriott’s chemistry with battery mate Becky Vzyas is a catlyst to the success of the pitching staff.
“Deanna was really good friends with Becky when we were recruiting them and they both could have gone D-I. Getting Deanna to sign with us really helped us get Becky as well,” said Kanter.
On top of her talent behind the plate Vyzas is a huge threat at the plate for the Spartans, anchoring the middle of UT’s lineup.
“Becky is a machine at the plate. She is definitely going to be a tough out for teams this year,” said Kanter.
When asked what had the higher probability, Henriott throwing another perfect game this season or Vyzas batting .400, Kanter replied, “probably Becky hitting .400”.
She went three for three her first game and one for two in her second, evening her average out to .800 for now.
The 2-0 Spartans battle Palm Beach Atlantic this Friday, Feb. 18 for a doubleheader in Palm Beach.
John Hilsenroth can be reached at jhilsenroth@spartans.ut.edu.