The best advice you could give to a high school or club pitcher facing Anleigh Wood, the junior power-hitting sensation from Alabama?

Don’t give her anything within five feet of the strike zone.

A wee bit of an exaggeration, of course, but it’s not too far from the truth if you look at her astounding home run numbers from this year alone.

In high school ball, the 2028 grad hit 27 home runs and in the summer for Head Coach WC Yates’ Team NC team she smacked 14 more against elite opposing pitchers but her most jaw-dropping accomplishment may be what she did over a weekend in June.

At the Scenic City tournament—one of the best club events of the summer in terms of talent—Anleigh hit nine (NINE!) home runs for the weekend.

Coach Yates says it will be a softball performance he’ll never forget.

“Anleigh absolutely terrorized pitchers that weekend,” he recalls. “She started off Game 1 with two bombs—that was a consistent thing with Wood, whom we also call ‘Woody’—and by the semi-final game the opposing pitchers finally the hint and pitched around her.”

“I honestly couldn’t believe teams still would give her anything to hit; I’ve never seen anything like it!”

Two assistant coaches for Troy were there that weekend, and Coach Yates says he made sure they were aware of his power-hitter’s dominating play.

“Coach (Mackenzie) Puckett and Coach (Elizabeth) Hightower and I talked several times throughout the tournament and there were very impressed with what Anleigh was doing,” Coach Yates continued.

“Anleigh has been camping at Troy since she was a kid so it was full circle to see it all come together!

But it’s not just in travel ball that the 2028 standout can go on a hitting streak like the Alabama teenage can; few in the prep-aged ranks can catch on fire and at the plate like Anleigh can.

Going back a month before that, the then sophomore was named the Line Drive Media’s National High School Player of the Week for May 12, 2026 when she went 9-for-13 in five games for a .692 batting average and, thanks to five walks (smart pitchers!), she compiled a .778 on-base percentage.

That week, Anleigh blasted three home runs, a triple and three doubles to finish the week with a 1.462 slugging percentage and 10 runs scored and seven RBIs.

When the Line Drive Media 2028 HOT 100 rankings were released last month, Anleigh was announced at No. 15… here’s her bio:

T-15—Anleigh Wood, C, Team NC – Yates/Lingle
Anleigh has established herself as one of the most productive power hitters in the 2028 class while offering the defensive versatility to impact games behind the plate and at third base. Head Coach WC Yates adds; “She combines elite bat speed with advanced strength, producing consistent hard contact to all fields and legitimate over-the-fence power.” After a dominant high school season for Wicksburg (Newton, Ala.) High that included 27 home runs, 80 hits, a .588 batting average, and a .661 on-base percentage, Anleigh continued her offensive success against high-level travel competition, demonstrating that her production translates against quality pitching. She impressed against strong competition this summer with her Team NC – Yates/ Lingle 16U team that went 23-7-2 competing against top-ranked teams in the best showcases in the nation. The 2028 grad batted .523 with 14 home runs and 47 RBI. Defensively, Wood is a primary catcher with a pop-time in the 1.7s and an overhand pull-down velo sitting at 67 mph. Coach Yates concludes: “Her athleticism has helped her handle multiple infield positions, increasing her value at the next level.” Also impressive: her 4.1 GPA.

Coach Yates talks about Anleigh being a “needle mover” for his team.

“She came in and immediately became a stable in the 3-hole,” he says. “KJ (Spann, the 2028 infielder on the team committed to Georgia Tech) and Anleigh made a great combo hitting 2-and-3 in the lineup because they couldn’t pitch around both of them.”

So why is Anleigh such a dangerous and feared power hitter, we asked Coach Yates?

“She is one of the best pure hitters I’ve ever seen,” he responds, and her vision and pitch selection is second to none. There are very few times that Anleigh will miss when she swings.”

“I would put up Anleigh Wood against anyone in the country as a hitter and I will stand behind that any day of the week.”

It’s not, however, just her offensive talents that make the current junior such an elite player, the club coach stresses.

“Anleigh is also a leader on the field behind the dish,” Coach Yates insists. “She commands the field and no runner is safe when she catching.”

“She’s a very high-level catcher and Troy is getting one of the best in the ‘28 class and right in their back yard. I fully expect to see Anleigh become a top player in the country once she arrives on campus and I couldn’t be prouder of Anleigh and her family!”

“We are so happy they are with Team NC!”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Media

Here’s more from Anleigh as she talks about her softball accomplishments and also to what led her to commit to the Troy Trojans…

*****

Name: Anleigh Wood
Position(s): Catcher/3B/1B
High School (City/ST): Wicksburg High School — Dothan, AL
Club Team: Team NC Yates/Lingle
Grad Year: 2028
Committed To: Troy University
Date Committed: September 27, 2026

What would you say are your top achievements, stats, honors and/or accomplishments over the last year and/or for your career?

Here’s a list of things I’m proud of:

• two AHSAA (Alabama) high school state championships
• three times named All State (twice as 1^st Team, once as 2^nd Team)
• 2024 State Tournament MVP
• 2026 Alabama 3A State Hitter of the Year
• 2026 Max Preps national leader in home runs (27) for the Class of 2028
• 2026 Dothan Eagle Player of the Year
• Broke school single season home run record with 27 home runs during my sophomore year
• Surpassed 200 varsity career hits in 2026
• Hit 50th varsity career home run in 2026
• for high school and travel combined, had 41 home runs for 2026
• 2026 Line Drive Media High School National Player of the Week
• 2026 Line Drive Media High School 1^st Team All American
• in 2026 moved from being unranked previously to No. 15 in the Line Drive Media 2028 HOT 100
• career high nine home runs in a single tournament (Scenic City, Summer of 2026)

Do you play other sports? If so, anything you’re proud to share?

I played volleyball up until last year and made varsity as a freshman. I decided I needed more time to work on softball.

What’s been one or two of the most memorable experiences in your softball career?

Winning two state championships with my high school team—I love my team! Also, I hit my first high school career grand slam at the state tournament in the eighth grade, and my teammates all went crazy!

How did the Troy coaches first find you to start the recruiting process?

Troy was my first D1 camp the summer after my seventh-grade year. I had the best overhand velo at the camp as a seventh grader, and I remember (Head) Coach (Eric) Newell was pretty excited about it.

I continued going to several camps every year after that, and we all got to know each other. They also came to watch me a lot, even sometimes when I was playing in high school ball.

When did they offer you a scholarship?

I went on my visit on September 12, and my offer was on a phone call after my visit.

How and when did you commit?

Coach Newell called me on a Saturday night at 8:30. We had a great conversation, and he offered.

I accepted that following Monday. The whole coaching staff texted me and welcomed me. It was great!

What was it about Troy that made you decide it was the place for you? Did you have an “A ha” moment where it suddenly was obviously the right place for you?

My first Troy experience was playing a 10U travel championship game on their field. Since then, Troy has always been at the top of my list, and one reason is it is only an hour away.

I have been to a ton of their games, and I also want to be in a Christ-centered environment and play on a great team in a competitive conference. Plus, I love the coaching staff.

Troy checked all those boxes for me and more.

What did they say they liked about your game enough to offer you?

My power at the plate is definitely at the top of their list! They also like that I can play multiple positions at catcher and the corners.

Who helped you make your decision to commit to Troy?

God helped me. I really had to trust Him a lot in this whole process.

Also, my parents. They have always supported me and are there to help me whenever I need them.

Do you know yet what you will study in college? And what you’d like to do for a career after school and softball is over?

I am still thinking about it, but I am interested in occupational therapy.

What top tournaments/events will you and your team be playing in this fall and into next year (2027)?

This fall, we are playing at Ray Seymour, Veterans Tribute, the SEFL Alliance Qualifier, and Show Me The Money in Atlanta.

Is there anything unusual or different about you that would be fun to share or mention?

I am pretty goofy once you get to know me. I like making people laugh!

What’s something about you off the field that not many know?

My squat max is 385. I love the weight room!

What do you love most about softball?

I love being with my teammates. I can’t imagine playing an individual sport. Being part of a team is what makes it fun. I also love to hit some bombs!

In one word, describe yourself on the field:
Tone-setter.

And off the field:
Fun.