Third Wood Might Also Be a Charm

Kim Wood is trying to fill the shoes her sisters left behind, and she’s on the verge of doing it.

A senior right-hander for the Verdugo Hills High softball team, Wood is making a strong pitch for a City Section 3-A Division championship and 3-A player of the year honors. Her two older sisters each pulled off the double play.

“There were some expectations, maybe, but I think I’ve done pretty well for myself,” Wood said. “And they’ve done well for themselves, too.”

Stephanie Wood, a 1994 graduate who played shortstop at Verdugo Hills, won a 3-A title and was player of the year as a junior in 1993. Melanie, a right-handed pitcher, duplicated those feats as a senior in 1996, when Kim was a sophomore utility player.

Kim has a 19-4 record and a 0.85 earned-run average this season. She has struck out 216 batters while allowing 66 hits, 35 walks and 32 runs (18 earned) in 149 innings. In the Dons’ playoff opener Thursday against Bravo Medical, she threw a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts and missed a perfect game because of a first-inning walk. She followed up with a four-hitter in a 5-1 victory over Eagle Rock in the quarterfinals Monday.

“She’s been incredible for us,” Verdugo Hills Coach Andrea Standley said.

Kim’s efforts have put the Dons (21-5) into today’s semifinal against defending champion South Gate, which knocked Verdugo Hills out of the playoffs at this point last season.

“I would love to make it to the finals again, and hopefully, win it, too,” Kim said.

If Verdugo Hills does win the 3-A championship, Kim would probably be a lock to win the division’s player of the year award.

And if the shoe fits, she’ll wear it.