With the season in full swing, the University of Tampa’s softball team (9-3) has an edge over its competition. The Spartans’ roster includes two of the best pitchers UT has ever seen.
Senior Deanna Henriott has made history in the time she’s spent as a Spartan so far. In 2008, she was the first UT freshman to throw a no-hitter in a standout performance against Eckerd College.The St. Petersburg, Fla. native averaged more than nine strikeouts per game during the 2009 season, setting a new UT single-season record. She also set school records with nine shutouts and 260 strikeouts.
Although she was a member of the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll during the 2010 season, Henriott did not play a single game due to a medical redshirt.
She came back strong for the 2011 season where she was named first-team all-SSC, Daktronics first-team all-South Region, NFCA second-team all-South Region, and Daktronics second-team All-American. Henriott was also named SSC Pitcher of the Week on three separate occasions. She finished third in the nation with a 0.71 ERA, 12th in strikeouts with 281, and 13th in shutouts.Henriott is currently 5-2 for the season with 68 strikeouts.
New to the roster this season is sophomore Kayla Cox. As a freshman at North Carolina State University, she appeared in 34 games, 27 of which she started. She ended the season with over 183 innings pitched and a 14-14 record.
So far as a Spartan, Cox’s record is 4-1 with 64 strikeouts. She recorded the first no-hitter of her college career in the game against Georgia College.Collectively, the UT pitching staff has 132 strikeouts in comparison to its opponents’ 57. Henriott stated, “The amount of strikeouts we’ve had is crazy. We’re deadly.”
Pitching has played a factor in every game.
“It helps add confidence to the whole team,” explained Jaci Davis, UT’s pitching coach.
“We have two number one [pitchers], so no matter who’s pitching, the girls have the confidence that they’ll do well.” “We have each other’s back. If my pitches aren’t working, Kayla can come in and relieve me, and I can do the same for her,” added Henriott.
Henriott also believes the team’s chemistry makes the Spartans stand out from the rest of the teams. “This is the best experience I’ve had in my five years here. Even off the field, the chemistry is great.”
Both pitchers have no doubt in their mind that being a Spartan was the right choice for them.For Henriott, “Becoming a Spartan was the best decision I have ever made. I have found a family away from home and know that the connections and friends I have made will be there for the rest of my life.”
Even as one of the new girls on the team, Cox has had a personal connection to the team since she was young. She started lessons from Davis whom she calls the “best pitching coach in the world” when she was just nine years old.
“She molded me into the pitcher I am today. She is not just a coach to me, but is also an incredible person and is one of my biggest role models,” said the Riverview, Fla. native.
“She hasn’t changed that much since I’ve met her. She’s always had the same work ethic and desire to be good at what she does. She may have gotten a little taller,” Davis joked.
It was Davis’ confidence in Cox, as well as UT’s reputation for having an outstanding program, that convinced the communications major to transfer from a Division I school and follow her heart. Henriott cites her parents as her inspiration.
“My mom has taught me to be strong, and my dad has taught me to never quit,” she said. These are two of the most important characteristics in a pitcher.
When she started pitching at 12 years old, she said “I could hit my spots, but I did not throw hard at all. As my dad says, I threw slow, slower, and slowest.”
The All-American claims she didn’t become the pitcher she is now until her junior year of high school.
While Cox has two more seasons as a Spartan, Henriott is making plans for after she graduates in May.
The elementary education major is planning on teaching next year as well as coaching.
The Spartans take on Palm Beach Atlantic University on Saturday, Feb. 25. at home. The double-header starts at 3 p.m.
Analisa Trstensky can be reached at atrstensky@spartans.ut.edu.