SAUGUS — Last year, the Saugus softball team saw its season come to an end in the first round of the Division 2 North tournament after a 1-0 extra-inning loss to Dracut. Since that game, the Sachems have been busy gearing up for this spring — especially senior pitcher Caitlyn Wood.
“Caitlyn is the player that’s always looking to improve, always the first one on the field,” Saugus coach Steve Almquist said. “We ended our season on a Thursday night after the 1-0 eight inning loss to Dracut. Two days later on Saturday, I was driving by the field and who did I see but Caitlyn there with her family practicing already. That’s the kind of kid she is.”
Wood is the only senior on the Saugus team this year. Her and her fellow Sachems are usually used to spending most days together on the diamond by now, but obviously with the coronavirus delays that hasn’t been the case.
“I’ve been preparing for the season for awhile now, so it stinks that it’s been delayed,” Wood said. “It’s my senior year so obviously I’ve been looking forward to it but we have to stay safe and do what we have to. It is good that it hasn’t been canceled, and for now we’re at least looking at some games.
“I miss being with the team,” Wood said. “It’s always fun being with them and playing together.”
Seeing his players miss a chance to take the field has been disappointing to say the least for Almquist.
“I feel bad for all the kids and the seniors,” Almquist said. “This is a special time in their lives and it makes me sad they may miss out. Caitlyn is our only senior after we lost six last year. She’s been the one constant. There really aren’t enough words I can say about her. She’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever had. I first started coaching her on a Little League team when she was seven.”
Obviously, Almquist’s primary concern is that all his players remain safe during this time. But as for preparing for a possible season, he’s tried to stay in weekly contact.
“We’ve been trying to keep in contact once a week,” Almquist said. “First, making sure that everyone is doing okay and they’re healthy. Also stressing that they follow all the guidelines and are keeping up with healthy habits.
“We have a really good group,” Almquist said. “Caitlyn is going into her second year as a captain and our other three co-captains are juniors. Those kids have done a great job getting ready all offseason and keeping others involved. Players can play catch in the backyard with parents and siblings. It’s limited in what they can do, but I have no question that they’ll be read when and if the season comes.”
No matter how this year shakes out, Wood — who earned Northeastern Conference all-conference honors last season and has helped pitch Saugus to three straight tournament berths — will continue to prepare for her future on the diamond. Wood is set to continue her softball career at the next level at Curry College in Milton, where she will major in sports management.
“It does add something to look forward to, but I think it will still be different not playing this spring,” Wood said. “It’s my senior year and there’s so much to look forward too and it really stinks. I’ve been hitting and pitching in the yard with my dad, working out and everything, just getting ready for the season.”
The Sachems, like every other team, will continue to hope that’s still a possibility.
“The great thing for Caitlyn is she’ll be playing at Curry next year,” Almquist said. “But even if it’s one game I really hope she can put the finishing touches on an already stellar career at Saugus. All we can do is hope now. It’s pretty much a waiting game to see how this all unfolds.”
