Unfinished business
SOFTBALL: ALYSSA WOODS, SR., WESTSIDE
Celebrating an 18th birthday during a pandemic isn’t ideal. Westside outfielder Alyssa Woods admits that much, especially considering the alternative on April 24 was her team’s Senior Night festivities ahead of a District 18-6A softball game.
A makeshift birthday celebration filled in nicely, though. Cars drove by Woods’ home as horns honked — a common sight in place of Senior Night festivities this spring. Gifts from friends and family were passed out from the driver’s side. Woods conducted her own photo shoot downtown. And her parents bought a softballthemed cake adorned with the orange and black of Mercer University, the school in Macon, Ga., where Woods will play as a collegian.
“It was definitely an adjustment, but I can honestly say this is the best birthday I’ve had,” Woods said.
On Feb. 18, Woods recorded the first two putouts and an assist on a triple play while going 2-for-2 at the plate in a district win over Sam Houston. Westside, which was aiming for its first playoff berth in three years after a 2019 season filled with injuries, might have thought that was a sign of things to come.
“On top of that, some of these girls I’ve grown up with and played with since middle school and one even in elementary,” Woods said. “It’s sad to know it’s over and I didn’t get to finish it.”
Woods nonetheless leaves high school with an impressive résumé. She was a three-sport athlete, having also run track and played basketball. Heading into the 2020 season, Woods held a .536 career batting average with 31 RBIs and 57 stolen bases. She has two first team all-district selections to her name along with 2017’s Newcomer of the Year honor. Woods also is a member of the National Honor Society.
This summer Woods plans to play club softball for the Texas Bombers on the Gold 18-and-under national team. Normally, this would include nationwide travel. Instead, Woods looks forward to possible games in Houston’s suburbs in the coming weeks.
“I’m definitely ready to play a game,” Woods said. “I hit into my net in my backyard. I actually had batting lessons, but it’s not the same. Practicing and playing games are totally different things. You want to play with other people. It gets boring. I’m an only child, so it’s just me.”