It’s not often you find the pitcher with the lowest ERA in the conference hitting clean up, much less a freshman, but Kendra Wood has handled the double duty better than even her coach had hoped.

“I knew she was a great athlete and I knew she could really help us out, but she is really proving how strong she could be and what she could do in the conference,” coach Cristina Byrne said. “I think the sky’s the limit for that kid.”

A little over halfway through the season, Wood has been spectacular at the plate and even more spectacular on the mound for the SF State softball team.

Monday’s game against Chico State (12-17, 5-11 CCAA) was a perfect example as she pitched the second game of a doubleheader, picking up the win by giving up only one earned run in five and two-thirds innings. She also got two hits in the game to help the Gators in the 7-2 victory.

So far this season, Wood has a .330 average hitting in the cleanup spot and protected SF State’s all-time home run and RBI leader, senior Jordanna Freemer. Wood is no hack at the plate by any means as she is third on the team in home runs (4) and RBIs (16).

“I don’t really think about it. My first week in Humboldt really helped out my confidence because they are ranked No. 1 and I really had a good series against them, hitting wise, and that helped me get off to a good start,” Wood said.

Wood was named CCAA Softball Player of the Week for the week of February 18-24.

On the mound, Wood has been even better, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.41 ERA, leading the CCAA in ERA and she is undefeated in the conference thus far with a 4-0 record and a 1.51 ERA. In 54 and two-thirds innings she has allowed only one home run.

She attributes her success to being able to keep the ball low and away from the power hitters in the conference and hitting the corners as often as possible. She said having her twin sister, Kelsey, behind the plate is also a huge bonus.

“We’ve always played together, but I think it helps because she has caught me my entire life and she calls an amazing game,” Wood said.

In the first game of the doubleheader against Chico State, the Gators had trouble getting their bats going in the loss, 2-0.

However, the Gators were still able to take the season series from them with a win in the nightcap, 7-2.

Fellow freshman pitcher Ashley Jackson came in and picked up her first save of the season, pitching a perfect sixth and seventh inning. The Gators broke the game open with four runs in the sixth, capped off by a 3-run home run by Lea Cardenas, her fifth of the season.

“We were just having it rough in that first game, but they bounced back and swung well in the next game. Both pitchers did a great job only allowing two runs in the two games, and we took the season series, so I’m happy,” Byrne said.

Wood and the Gators will return to the diamond in Turlock as they begin the Tournament of Champions on March 28.