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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 26 • 20 BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com A s a high school senior, Kyle Wood suffered a lot of restless nights. Then a Purdue commitment, the Orland Park, Ill., native was up worried about his left elbow, the one that had helped him earn a scholarship offer from the Boilermakers but was now giv- ing him all sorts of problems. It needed to be surgically re- paired, and his baseball future, at least he thought then, was in jeopardy. "I was really worried," Wood said Sunday, following Purdue's first Big Ten weekend of the season. " … Not even worried about (Purdue), but just my arm. When you're that young and you hear Tommy John (surgery), it's really, really difficult. I didn't get over that for a while, probably until I got back on the mound when I got to school. "But I'm ever grateful to Purdue and the coaching staff for sticking with me, when I've heard other tragic stories where people don't get that opportunity." Purdue is glad it stuck with Wood, as well, particularly now that he has settled in to his dual roles, and is playing the best of his career. A two-way player — Wood is a third-year starting first base - man — the 6-foot, 220-pounder has been the Boilermakers' most consistent offensive threat, hitting .368 in the middle of the lineup, with five doubles, two home runs and 14 runs driven in. His average, slugging percentage (.513), on- base percentage (.457) and RBIs all rank in the top-10 in the Big Ten. And Wood is pitching well, although only in limited action out of the bullpen. In two appear- ances, the lefty has a 1-0 record and 1.69 ERA, having only given up an earned run in 5 1/3 innings pitched. He's struck out 12 of the 24 batters he's faced. Because of the past arm trou- ble — Wood redshirted his first season in 2012 while rehabbing from Tommy John elbow surgery — he has quit taking in-and-out, the infield/outfield warmup before the first pitch, in an effort to keep his arm as fresh as possible. "Being a reliever, you have to be ready every day," he said. "I don't want one day, if my arm isn't feel- P R E S E N T S L A F A Y E T T E L E G E N D : K Y L E W O O D CheckingMadeBetter.com Member FDIC More Account Choices. Checking options that fit your life. More Convenience. Ask us about Mobile Banking. More Freedom from Fees. Let us show you the options. Top Of His Game Wood settling into dual roles with Boilermakers Purdue First baseman Kyle Wood has broken out offensively, driving home 14 runs, second among Boilermakers, through 22 games this season. His .368 batting average leads Purdue.