Western Oregon Inks The Dalles Softball Standout Wood

In a state playoff game against North Eugene last week, the left-hander tossed a three-hit shutout and fanned 12 during a 19-0 win.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Western Oregon softball coach Pam Knox has announced the signing of The Dalles-Wahtonka High School standout Jessica Wood to a National Letter of Intent.

Wood, the Intermountain Conference Pitcher and Player of the Year, will compete for a spot in the pitching rotation next spring.

"Jessica will join a pitching staff that will be very competitive for the 2008 season,” Knox said. “She will have an impact in the pitcher’s circle right away with her command of the pitches and her velocity. Also impressive is her bat, she is a clean-up hitter who can play first base."

Western Oregon is an NCAA Division II program that plays in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

The Wolves finished second in conference play and missed a trip to the west region playoffs by just one game in 2007.

They finished 26-25 overall and 14-6 in the GNAC.

Knox just finished her fifth year at WOU, after also serving as the head coach at Northwest Missouri State and Park College. She has a career mark of 301-290.

The Wolves will lose only one player to graduation this year, and return three starting pitchers.

Wood has been dominant for an Eagle-Indians squad that is currently 25-2.

In a state playoff game against North Eugene earlier this week, the left-hander tossed a three-hit shutout and fanned 12 during a 19-0 win.

For good measure, she helped herself with a three-run homer at the plate. On the season, she has 13 shutouts on her resume.

Last month, Knox announced the signings of three players from the state of Hawaii to the Wolves roster.

Tierra-Lyn Cuba (Mililani HS), Sasha Koki (St. Francis HS) and Jandee Tiarra (St. Francis HS) will all attend WOU next fall and will compete for roster spots on the 2008 squad.

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