DELTONA, Fla — The Deltona High School Wolves softball team won the state championship in 2022 and brought back a lot of talent to this year’s team. One of those key players is pitcher Katie McCaw, who was named 4A player of the year last year. 

Spectrum News caught up with McCaw at her last practice as a Deltona Wolf right before they went on to play in the state semi-finals. When asked about her mindset when stepping out of the field, she was very direct.

“Strike everyone out,” she said.

McCaw says her favorite pitch to get batters out is the curveball.

“I can jam righties inside with it and they can get a little grounder out to short, or I can strikeout lefties with it on the outside corner,” she said.

That pitch has helped her strike out more than 200 batters this season, and helped her lead the team to another deep playoff run.

“Its great — I don’t remember ever getting 200, even last year I was pretty high up there, but hitting 200 this year just feels like an accomplishment to all my goals and all the stuff I have worked at,” said McCaw.

She moved to Deltona from California two years ago where she played only at the junior varsity level.

“So last year being my first varsity year, it was so unbelievable winning states,” she said.

McCaw said she only focuses on her work as a pitcher, something she believes is to her advantage.

“Having my mindset on all of one thing and not having to worry about, am I going to get a hit or am I going to get on base next at bat, I don’t have to worry about any of it,” she said. “I can go into the dugout and think, 'What can I change from last inning that wasn’t working? How can I fix it? What can I do to get better?' and my mindset is only on that one position.”

Starting next year, she will be playing at the University of Tampa.

“It’s a strong, storied program, and it is the best fit for me,” she said. “Honestly, I wanted to stay in Florida and I think it is the perfect school for me.”

The Wolves came just short in winning back-to-back state titles, losing to Parrish Community High School 5-0 on Thursday.