Recovering from back surgery during her sixth-grade year, the question of whether-or-not she would ever play softball again may have crossed the mind of a young Savannah Wood. However, the thought did not linger long.
Wood dreamed of following in her sister’s footsteps and play for the tradition-rich Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot softball program Surgery slowed her down but Wood would make that dream reality in the years to come. Thursday, Wood reached another life goal as the Lady Patriot left-fielder inked to play college softball at St. Catharine College.
“Playing college softball has always been a dream,” Wood said. “It has always been a goal. I always wanted to play to my best for my team and myself. I always wanted to make it to the college level.”
Wood learned the game as a youngster in Allen County. She would compete locally and on travel teams as a youngster before her aspirations were put on hold due to back surgery, resulting from scoliosis.
“The surgery kept me out of the game for a year,” Wood explained. “When I came back, I was a little bit behind. That just meant that I had to work 10 times harder. After that, I learned to really appreciate the game so much more. I remember the day they told me I could play again. I started crying. That was probably one of the happiest times of my life.”
Looking back at her time on the diamond, Wood recalls the many friends and fond memories she has made in over a decade.
“I have made so many memories as I have traveled around the US,” Wood noted. “I have seen parts of the country that I would never have seen if it wasn’t for softball. I have made friends around the country.”
Looking ahead, Wood understands that college softball will be challenging but is ready to take that step.
“I expect it will be more serious and like a job,” Wood said. “I’m ready for that.”
Wood added that choosing St. Catharine wasn’t easy.
“I thought I would go to Cincinnati Christian,’ Wood admitted. “I love Cincinnati and thought that was where I would go. But, I just didn’t feel right about it. It didn’t click like it did at St. Catherine.”
St. Catharine coach Holly Smith is excited about what Wood will bring to her program—a program that missed the NAIA World Series last year by a win.
“I like her athletic ability and how much she loves this sport,” coach Smith said. “She is constantly trying to improve her game. She has good speed, good judgment of the ball in the outfield, and she has a good stick.”
Lady Patriot coach Ernie Stafford feels as if St. Catharine is getting an extremely hard-working player.
“Savannah is a work horse,” coach Stafford explained. “From a young age she went out to compete every night. She was willing to do the things you are supposed to do to get better. She played a lot of softball tournaments on weekends. She has taken hitting lessons her whole life and she has been a dedicated young lady to the Lady Patriot program which will carry over to St. Catharine’s program.”
Wood looks forward to completing her senior year and helping AC-S improve upon last year’s 20-12 record. Her hope is that AC-S can return to the state tournament for the first time since winning the KHSAA state championship in 2011.
“I remember watching my sister (Amanda) playing in high school and couldn’t wait to one day be there,” Wood shared.
St. Catharine is an NAIA college located in St. Catharine Kentucky. The Patriots were 20-27 in softball last year under the direction of coach Smith. St. Catharine is a member of the Mid-South Conference.
Wood is the 27th Lady Patriot softball player to sign to play collegiate softball since 1995.
