Hidden Talent Emerges For Softball Star Henriott

With an impressive 35-13 record last year, Deanna Henriott and the University of Tampa softball team has a championship in sight. Barry University ended their hopes last May and now with an even stronger team, the Spartans are prepared to face anyone in the nation.

Henriott leads UT as the stunning pitcher who set a school record with 251 strikeouts last season. She graduated from St. Petersburg Catholic high school, and played softball while being on the honor roll list all four years.

Henriott is a sophomore majoring in elementary education. Henriott originally planned to get her degree in nursing, but after a year in school she found a subject that fits her better. Growing up with 13 cousins and three siblings, Henriott knew working with kids would be a career right for her. She also loves to babysit, and has been doing it for years.

As a freshman, Henriott shocked the Tampa Bay area. She set school records and even surprised herself. "I was excited coming into the team as a freshman; I performed better than I thought," Henriott said. Not only did she set a record with strikeouts, but she also set a record with 16 strikeouts in a single game, which she has already eclipsed with 18 this season, and even became the first freshman to throw a no-hitter, which came against Eckerd.

Henriott has been playing ball since she was five, and started pitching when she was a junior in high school. Henriott followed the footsteps of her older sister, Andrea, who is former all star softball player at Milligan College in Tennessee. Through that time frame, Henriott played several different positions, yet to find a favorite.

She always had an interest in pitching but never felt comfortable doing it. "Since I was young I always had an accurate pitch, but I had no power," Henriott said. With help from her sister and outstanding coaches, Henriott discovered her true talent.

Henriott has always had an eye on UT. "I wanted to leave St. Pete, but I didn't want to go too far," said Henriott. "Being close to my newborn nephew helped me decide to stay in this area," she added. Henriott came to UT a little nervous, not knowing many people. However, Henriott knew Heather Van Landingham from previous encounters in high school softball. Van Landingham eased Henriott to the Spartans' softball team and now they both lead the team as pitchers.

Henriott now looks at a schedule that is not easy, but the team is confident after much success last year. "I'm eager to play Barry since they beat us in the regional championship last year," Henriott said. "Rollins is another school that is tough, for some reason they always hit on us," she added. The Spartans play Barry and Rollins back to back from April 9-19. They then finish their regular schedule with Florida Southern. After that, they intend to compete in the NCAA South Regional on May 9.

Besides playing softball, Henriott likes to fish on the ocean. Her and her boyfriend enjoy motoring out on their 33' Grady White boat catching anything from grouper to black tip sharks. After Henriott graduates, she plans to put her degree to work. Her goal is to teach either preschool or kindergarten.

Written by Nicholas Han