Caitlyn Denny delivering big time as ace for Penn softball

"It took a good support system, like my family and my coaches, for me to come back and succeed," Denny explained. "Mentally it was really tough for me. I went from really active to like a dead stop for six weeks.

"My mom made me realize it was what God had planned for me. My dad and I are super close. He tore up his knee when he was younger, so he understood what I was going through. That helped me a lot. I'm close with my whole family."

Zachary, a former state champion prep pitcher herself, loves the personality that Denny brings to the diamond.

"C is everybody's friend," Zachary remarked. "She likes to keep it fun and lighthearted. But she also knows when it's time to get serious and I love that about her. She's a fierce competitor and wants to do well for her team.

"She has grit, determination and inner character. She chose the hard path to put in the extra time and the extra reps to get back to an elite level after her knee injuries. That shows a lot about who she is."

Penn's Caitlyn Denny (19) pitches the ball Saturday, April 26, 2025, during the Carmel Softball Invitational at Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel.

Denny admits that she tries to keep things fun for her team.

"I try to lighten the mood and crack jokes and make people laugh," Denny said. "I think that helps ease the pressure."

The Kingsmen have not missed a beat despite the loss of 11 seniors from a year ago. Those gone included Miss Softball Ava Zachary, now a star at Notre Dame. This year's edition boasts four seniors, led by Denny and Northwestern University commit Logan Rumble. Denny will play at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Rumble is now the program's all-time home runs leader, passing Ava Zachary earlier this season.

"This team is so close and has great chemistry," Denny said. "We play as one. The unwritten rule here with Penn softball is to have the best culture we can have.

"I have complete confidence and all the faith in my teammates, both offensively and defensively. That allows me to just go out there and throw. It's about doing your job."

Denny is backed by a deep and loaded lineup that has outscored its foes 174-61 through its first 19 contests. The Kingsmen have scored in double digits in 10 of those games. Penn's other two losses were to Class 4A No. 1 Lake Central 14-0 and Daviess County from Kentucky 14-3 in April.

Denny was throwing a no hitter in a home game versus Lake Central on April 2, in which Penn led 2-0 in the fourth inning, before the game was cancelled due to weather. She did not pitch in the 14-0 loss to the Indians.

"I do try to focus on the present and stay in the moment since this is my senior year," commented Denny. "But the future does cross my mind. I think that this team can achieve it all this year. If we stay true to ourselves and come in strong, we have a very good chance."

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Caitlyn Denny overcomes ACL injuries to lead Penn softball