Soddy-Daisy High School senior Mariam Wood has accepted a softball scholarship offer from East Tennessee State University and plans to follow through during the November signing period.
Wood first went to the Johnson City campus in late August. She’s known first-year Lady Buccaneers coach Brad Irwin, most recently a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant, throughout her high school career, and he’s been her mentor at two camps.
“I loved it,” Wood said of her visit. “It was so pretty. I got to meet all the girls, and they were all so nice. I love Coach Irwin, too.”
Wood helped the Lady Trojans to a dream season in 2009 that not only culminated in a Class AAA championship, but they wound up with a 52-2 record and top-five rankings in two national polls. Wood batted .427 as a junior with three home runs, four triples, 10 doubles and 49 RBIs. In her summer season with the Frost Falcons, she hit .424 with eight doubles and 21 RBIs.
“They’re in need of power hitters,” Wood said of the Lady Bucs. “I’m going to have to work on getting stronger.”
Wood said being able to sign early relieves a lot of stress and should enable to relax and enjoy her senior year. Soddy-Daisy coach Clifford Kirk said Wood is a hard worker and versatility is her greatest asset on the field.
“She’s able to play several different positions,” Kirk said. “She’s played catcher, first base and outfield for me. Next year we’ll probably play her on third base. And she hits the ball. Even though she’s signing somewhere, I still expect her to keep working hard and have a good year.”
Wood said she plans to enter ETSU’s biology pre-pharmacy program.