Kate DeSimone, a 2020 graduate of Wellington High School and a former member of the WHS girls varsity softball team, had a standout senior season on the softball diamond for the University of Tampa this spring.
As a team, the Spartans had the most memorable season in program history. They qualified for the NCAA Division II Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history. The series was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from May 22 to May 28.
DeSimone played a key role in the team’s season-long success.
As a pitcher, DeSimone was 13-2 with a 1.40 ERA during the regular season. She posted a .984 fielding percentage with 37 putouts, 26 assists and one error. On the mound, she made 23 pitching appearances and threw 111 innings with 88 strikeouts and 18 walks.
To earn a spot in the World Series, Tampa defeated Auburn University at Montgomery, 5-0, on May 16 in the super regional round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. In that game, DeSimone rose to the occasion and pitched a complete-game shutout. She helped her own cause by going 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Prior to this year, the University of Tampa had never reached the NCAA Division II World Series in the softball program’s 37 years of existence.
According to University of Tampa head coach Leslie Kanter, DeSimone was one of this year’s top performers.
“Kate had a great season again this year, but her postseason play, especially at nationals, was probably the best of her career,” said Kanter, who just completed her 31st year as Tampa’s head coach. “She had the mentality that ‘I am giving it everything I have and going out on top.’ She pitched well, hit well and even fired everyone up in the dugout. It has been fun to watch her grow over her years at UT, and she definitely saved the best for last. She will be greatly missed.”
Tampa was one of eight teams competing for the Division II national championship in Chattanooga. One of those teams was the defending championship squad — the Patriots from the University of Texas at Tyler.
On Thursday, May 22, in game one of the series, the University of Tampa defeated Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, 6-0. In that game, DeSimone pitched and batted. At the plate, she had one hit, drew a walk, scored two runs and drove in three runs.
In Tampa’s second game on Friday, May 23 against the University of Central Oklahoma, Tampa prevailed again, 4-3. In that game, DeSimone pitched five innings and gave up three earned runs. As a batter, she also drove in three runs.
“The second game against Central Oklahoma was my best game at the World Series,” said DeSimone, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Next, on Sunday, May 25, in Tampa’s third game against Pace University, the Spartans outscored Pace, 4-2. DeSimone went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Those three victories propelled Tampa into a best two-out-of-three championship series against the defending champions, the Patriots from the University of Texas at Tyler. Unfortunately, the Patriots had overwhelming pitching, defense and offense.
On Tuesday, May 27, the Patriots won game one, 6-0. And on Wednesday, May 28, in game two, they prevailed again, 3-0, to win another NCAA Division II softball title. In both games, Tampa was limited to one hit.
At the end of the Division II World Series, DeSimone was one of two University of Tampa players named to the World Series All-Tournament Team. This past season, DeSimone was a second-team All-Sunshine State Conference selection.
Tampa concluded its season with a record of 48-12.
Despite losing in the national championship, DeSimone and her teammates truly enjoyed their time at the World Series.
“It was cool to be a member of the first team in program history to reach the World Series,” DeSimone said. “We stayed at a Marriott. All the teams stayed in the same hotel, which was decked out with NCAA images and artwork. Every player was given a gift box. It was a special feeling. We had a great time.”
Looking back at her softball career at the University of Tampa, as a freshman, DeSimone was the starting first baseman and pitched. During her Tampa softball career, she played right field and second base. During her senior season, DeSimone was one of the three starting pitchers and also served as the team’s everyday designated hitter.
In December, DeSimone will graduate from the University of Tampa with a master’s degree in instructional design and technology.
