Bethel-Tate senior Cassidy DeVore signs to play softball at UC Clermont as her parents, Terry and Linda, and UC Clermont head coach Dan Kinney look on.

Bethel-Tate senior Cassidy DeVore signs to play softball at UC Clermont as her parents, Terry and Linda, and UC Clermont head coach Dan Kinney look on.
By Chris Chaney
Sun staff

Bethel-Tate senior pitcher and outfielder Cassidy DeVore signed a commitment to the University of Cincinnati-Clermont earlier this month to continue her athletic and academic career at the school.

“(Clermont) had a good atmosphere and I know a few girls on the team that I’ve played with in the past,” DeVore said of her decision to choose UC Clermont over some other suitors. “I get along with Coach Kinney very well.”

“Definitely her pitching,” UC Clermont head coach Dan Kinney said of what caught his eye about his latest recruit. “99 percent of your team in fast pitch is pitching, so I’m always looking for that. I went out and saw her play and talked to her dad. He was pretty interested in our program right away and she was, too.”

DeVore has been a constant for the Lady Tigers during her three seasons in red and white. A two-time Southern Buckeye Conference American Division All-Star, DeVore will lead her team across the conference to the National Division where traditional powers Felicity-Franklin, Williamsburg and Clermont Northeastern await.

Playing top competition is nothing new for DeVore or the Lady Tigers as Bethel made a run upstate last year in the Division III tournament.

Bethel bowed out of the tournament in the regional semifinals to eventual state semifinalists Richwood North Union.

DeVore appeared in every game for the 14-9 Lady Tigers.

Outside of scholastic fast pitch, DeVore has competed in summer select ball since age 12, a year after she took up the game. Her travel team, the Cincy Slammers, is among the most well-respected in the area.

Not only a daunting presence in the circle, DeVore also bats around .350 for her career and gets on base even more often with an OBP hovering around .400.

While DeVore said she looks forward to making an impact when she gets to Clermont next fall, her first order of business is to improve upon last year’s impressive season.

“I want to get a little bit further than last year,” she said.

While DeVore completes her last year at the high school level, her future team has already gotten their 2015 season underway. The Lady Cougars currently list three pitchers on their roster, but Coach Kinney expects DeVore to compete for the starting job as soon as she steps on campus.

“She’s going to be a big asset to our program in her freshman year,” Kinney said. “She’ll be one of our starters next year, so she’ll fit right in when she gets here.”

Bethel-Tate is scheduled to begin their season next Monday, March 30 when they host Georgetown.

The first pitch, which will be thrown by DeVore, is slated for 4:30 p.m.