Meet Kaitlyn Wood, a multi-sport athlete who plays basketball in the winter, and softball year-round. She is a rising junior at St. Paul Catholic High School. After going to the Class S State finals her freshman year with St. Paul succumbing to North Branford in a 4-2 game, Kaitlyn and her Falcon team found themselves back in the same position this year, but turned the tables on North Branford with a 11-3 victory. Hot off a State Championship win, Kaitlyn took some time during her first tournament of the 2026 summer travel season to go “Extra Innings” with the CT Softball Blog. 

FIRST INNING: Tell us about your softball journey. How did you find your way to the softball field?

KAITLYN WOOD: My softball journey started when I was like four years old, and my neighbor and I decided to play on the same team that her mom was coaching. That just sparked the love of the game for me, and I have continued with it since.

SECOND INNING: What was it like to win your first State Championship with St. Paul? You had a big game with three hits. What was going through your mind when the last out of the game was made? 

KW: We felt the pressure, but we knew that we had it. We all trusted each other, and it was really exciting, and I hope we can come back and do it again next year. 

THIRD INNING: What do you like better, first base or catcher?

KW: Definitely first base because I started catching one year ago for high school because I knew we were going to be in need of a catcher. I feel more confident at first base, and that’s where I’ve been playing ever since I was little. 

FOURTH INNING: What made you realize that you would like to play in college? 

KW: Over the times when I’ve been injured, I realized that I can’t function without softball and it’s hard for me to know that I wouldn’t be playing in college. I just can’t imagine myself without it. 

St. Paul Catholic’s Kaitlyn Wood is playing for Rapids Softball this summer. (Photo by John Nash)

FIFTH INNING: What is your favorite thing about your Rapids travel team? 

KW: I love how we’re all from different schools, and we still connect and we share everything. It’s amazing. 

SIX INNING: Let’s move away from softball for a minute. What is your favorite dessert? 

KW: I’d say ice cream cake because it’s a mix of cake and ice cream and it’s just amazing. I like the Carvel ones with the cookie crunches and the chocolate and vanilla. 

SEVENTH INNING: What is your favorite thing to do in the summer? 

KW: Go to the beach. 

EIGHTH INNING: Do you have any pets? 

KW: I have a dog named Zuri and then I have three fish. 

NINTH INNING: Let’s go back to softball. Do you have any superstitions or pregame rituals? 

KW: So normally, if we have early morning games, it’s weird, but I stay silent the whole morning. I don’t like when people talk to me that much, but I mean if it works it works. 

A first baseman by nature, St. Paul Catholic’s Katelyn Woods gets some catching time with the Rapids Softball organization this summer. (Photo by John Nash)

TENTH INNING: If you were in charge of the music playlist for a game, what song would have to be on it? 

KW: I would definitely say ones to hype us up because who doesn’t love a hype song? And one where everyone knows the words because it’s better. 

ELEVENTH INNING: Would you rather play a game in pouring freezing rain, or 100-degree humid heat?

KW: This is a crazy take, but I would say the rain, because it’s easier to be cold, and warm up when you’re moving than being dehydrated and almost pass out on the field. 

TWELFTH INNING: What is one word that describes you? 

KW: I would say energetic, but not in the mornings. Once we start to get into the game, I am energetic. One goal I have for myself is to never be the one who brings the team down, so I am energetic. 

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