University of Delaware Athletics
Softball Adds Transfer Claire Woods
1/6/2025 10:16:00 AM | Softball
NEWARK, Del. -Â University of Delaware softball announced the addition of transfer Claire Woods.Â
"I am excited to add a pitcher with Claire's talent to our roster," head coach Jen Steele said. "She threw really well this summer in the FGCL, has NCAA postseason experience, and has had success in Conference USA. She will be the veteran on a youthful pitching staff next season and that will be invaluable as we transition to C-USA on July 1."
Woods, a pitcher from Middle Tennessee State, arrives to Delaware after playing three in Conference USA. She appeared in 47 games with the Blue Raiders and made 23 starts while pitching to a 4.05 ERA in 162.1 innings.Â
As a junior in 2024, Woods pitched 66.1 innings with a 3.90 ERA, two wins, and 46 strikeouts - second most on the team. She had eight strikeouts against Louisiana Tech on March 16 and threw a shutout against Austin Peay on March 19.
In 2023 as a sophomore, Woods made nine appearances with one start and pitched to a 3.94 ERA. She threw four shutout innings against FIU on April 22, and had three strikeouts against North Carolina A&T on February 25.
Woods ,ade 20 appearances and tied the team lead with 14 starts in the circle during her freshman season in 2022. She pitched to a 4.22 ERA and threw a shutout against Illinois State on March 11. She also pitched a career-high 7.2 innings and struck out a career-best eight batters against Evansville on February 19.Â
Woods was also active in Middle Tennessee's athletic department, having been MTSU's SAAC President, Conference USA Representative for NCAA SAAC, and has been named to CUSA's Commissioner's Academic Medal List and CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll. In high school at Summertown in Tennessee, she was listed at No. 117 overall in the Extra Inning Softball top 200 and checked in as the No. 64 pitcher nationally, ranking sixth in C-USA and second in Tennessee. She was named Single-A Middle Tennessee Miss Softball, listed on the Single-A & Private School Middle Tennessee All-State Team, and made the TNSCA Middle Tennessee All-Star Team after a senior season in 2021 that saw her go 21-1 with 16 shutouts, 197 strikeouts in 126 innings, and a 0.67 ERA. She led her team to a Class-A State Championship and a No. 4 ranking in The Tennessean's list of best Nashville-area high school softball teams.
Delaware is coming off a season in which they set program records in single-season wins and conference wins, and tied their record for longest win streak at 13 and longest conference win streak at 10. The Blue Hens also led the CAA in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, and total bases. UD pitched to a 1.98 ERA, finishing ninth in NCAA, and ranked 27th nationally in shutouts. The Blue Hens open up the 2025 year, their last season in the CAA before joining CUSA, in Tampa, Fla. on February 6, with games against Illinois State, South Florida, Georgia Southern, Michigan, and Florida. Delaware will usher in their newly renovated stadium during the Blue Hen Invitational from February 27 - March 1 against Syracuse, Quinnipiac, and Morgan State.Â
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware softball, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Tickets
Season and single game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now. The upcoming season will feature cutting-edge renovations, including a state-of-the-art Daktronics videoboard, turf playing surface, LED lighting, and more. Season tickets are now 50% off the single-game rate—just $94 for access to the entire season with general admission seating.
"I am excited to add a pitcher with Claire's talent to our roster," head coach Jen Steele said. "She threw really well this summer in the FGCL, has NCAA postseason experience, and has had success in Conference USA. She will be the veteran on a youthful pitching staff next season and that will be invaluable as we transition to C-USA on July 1."
Woods, a pitcher from Middle Tennessee State, arrives to Delaware after playing three in Conference USA. She appeared in 47 games with the Blue Raiders and made 23 starts while pitching to a 4.05 ERA in 162.1 innings.Â
As a junior in 2024, Woods pitched 66.1 innings with a 3.90 ERA, two wins, and 46 strikeouts - second most on the team. She had eight strikeouts against Louisiana Tech on March 16 and threw a shutout against Austin Peay on March 19.
In 2023 as a sophomore, Woods made nine appearances with one start and pitched to a 3.94 ERA. She threw four shutout innings against FIU on April 22, and had three strikeouts against North Carolina A&T on February 25.
Woods ,ade 20 appearances and tied the team lead with 14 starts in the circle during her freshman season in 2022. She pitched to a 4.22 ERA and threw a shutout against Illinois State on March 11. She also pitched a career-high 7.2 innings and struck out a career-best eight batters against Evansville on February 19.Â
Woods was also active in Middle Tennessee's athletic department, having been MTSU's SAAC President, Conference USA Representative for NCAA SAAC, and has been named to CUSA's Commissioner's Academic Medal List and CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll. In high school at Summertown in Tennessee, she was listed at No. 117 overall in the Extra Inning Softball top 200 and checked in as the No. 64 pitcher nationally, ranking sixth in C-USA and second in Tennessee. She was named Single-A Middle Tennessee Miss Softball, listed on the Single-A & Private School Middle Tennessee All-State Team, and made the TNSCA Middle Tennessee All-Star Team after a senior season in 2021 that saw her go 21-1 with 16 shutouts, 197 strikeouts in 126 innings, and a 0.67 ERA. She led her team to a Class-A State Championship and a No. 4 ranking in The Tennessean's list of best Nashville-area high school softball teams.
Delaware is coming off a season in which they set program records in single-season wins and conference wins, and tied their record for longest win streak at 13 and longest conference win streak at 10. The Blue Hens also led the CAA in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, and total bases. UD pitched to a 1.98 ERA, finishing ninth in NCAA, and ranked 27th nationally in shutouts. The Blue Hens open up the 2025 year, their last season in the CAA before joining CUSA, in Tampa, Fla. on February 6, with games against Illinois State, South Florida, Georgia Southern, Michigan, and Florida. Delaware will usher in their newly renovated stadium during the Blue Hen Invitational from February 27 - March 1 against Syracuse, Quinnipiac, and Morgan State.Â
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware softball, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Tickets
Season and single game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now. The upcoming season will feature cutting-edge renovations, including a state-of-the-art Daktronics videoboard, turf playing surface, LED lighting, and more. Season tickets are now 50% off the single-game rate—just $94 for access to the entire season with general admission seating.
Highlight: Softball 2024 Season Highlight
Monday, June 03
Highlight: Softball Senior Day - 5/5/24
Monday, May 06
Highlight: Softball vs. DSU - 4/10/24
Monday, April 15
Highlight: Softball vs. Drexel - 4/29/24
Saturday, March 30
