Photo courtesy of Gadsden State
Gadsden State Community College head softball coach Ryan Clark currently is busy recruiting members to his burgeoning program. So far, there are 21 signed players, with an additional 10 players making verbal commitments.
“We have a great group of ladies coming to Gadsden State to play softball,” said Clark. “I’m very proud that they will represent our first team after not fielding a team for seven years.”
After the Gadsden State softball program was discontinued in 2016, GSCC President Dr. Kathy Murphy announced in April of 2022 that college would reinstate both softball and baseball. Clark was hired in August of that year.
“The opportunity to be Gadsden State head softball coach is not just a personal achievement for me,” he said. “I’m eager to coach this team, and we’ll work hard to build a program that the Gadsden State Cardinal family will be proud of.”
On April 2, Gadsden State broke ground on a $10 million-dollar softball and baseball complex that will be located in the Gadsden Sports Park. The facility is expected to be complete in early 2025.
“Our state-of-the-art complex at Gadsden State is a powerful recruiting tool,” Clark said. “Prospective students are seeing firsthand that investments are being made to ensure their athletic and academic success. It showcases Gadsden State’s commitment to excellence and success.”
While he continues to recruit softball players, Clark is proud of those student-athletes who have already signed with Gadsden State.
“They’re very talented players with a ton of ability,” Clark said. “We play in a very tough conference, and I believe this team will give us an opportunity to come out swinging early on. This is a very competitive group. They’re winners.”
Recruits and their achievements include:
* Abby Payne, Hokes Bluff. Abby is a two-time team Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year. She has also been named the All-Area Most Valuable Player and is a two-time member of the Class 3A All-State team. She was a member of the 2023 All-Messenger team.
* Emma Croy, Glencoe. Emma has twice been named to the All-County and All-Area teams and was a member of the 2023 All-Messenger team.
* Lauren Farmer, Etowah. Lauren was named to the 2023 All-Messenger team.
* Jasie Brooks, Southside (pictured above). Jasie was a member of All-Area Tournament team and helped the Lady Panthers win a pair of Etowah County Schools championships. She has been named an All-County and All-Area team member and an All-Messenger selection. Josie is also the winner of Southside’s 3-D Award for Drive, Determination and Dedication and GPA Award.
* Ava Ramsey, Southside. Ava has been voted to two All-Etowah County teams, has earned the All-Etowah County Tournament MVP.
* Chloe Gattis, Alexandria. Chloe helped the 2022 Lady Valley Cubs win a regional championship and finish as the Class 5A state runner-up. She was a member of the All-Calhoun County team and was twice named Calhoun County’s Offensive MVP. She is currently a general studies student at Gadsden State.
* Maribeth Parette, Wetumpka. Maribeth helped Wetumpka win the 2023 Class 5A state championship. The Lady Indians won three straight area championships with Maribeth in the lineup.
* Ashley Burgess, Edgewood Academy. Prior to transferring to Edgewood, Ashley was a member of a Wetumpka High team that won a Class 5A state championship and two area championships.
* Madison Allen, Auburn. Madison is a member of the Lady Tigers 2023 Class 7A flag football state championship team and was named first team All-State.
* Rachel McCown, Madison County High School. Rachel helped the Lady Tigers win an area championship.
* Aubrey Kerst Villa Rica (Ga.). Aubrey was twice named Regional Pitcher of the Year and is a four-time All-Region selection.
* Karli Crocker, Pickens Academy. Karli also plays travel ball for Druid City Tribe, where she was awarded Team MVP honors and named Defensive Player of the Year.
* Kennadi Johnson, Pell City. Kennadi helped the Lady Panthers win the area championship and twice qualify for the Class 6A state tournament.
* Ally Croy, Chattooga, Ga. Ally is a two-time member of the All-Regional team and was named to the Georgia All-State team.
* Kirby Wisner, Sylvania. Kirby was named to the All-Area and All-Dekalb County teams.
* Lanie Williams, Cherokee County. Laine is a three-time selection for the All-Area and All-Cherokee County teams.
* Caybree Dobbins, North Sand Mountain. Caybree has earned positions on the All-Jackson County team five times and the All-Area team twice.
* Tennley Johnson, Oneonta. Tennley was named to the All-Area team.
* Reagan Sanders, Oxford. Reagan was named to the All-Blount County and All-Area teams and received the Lady Indians’ Best Utility Player award.
* Ella Kelley of Hamilton and Kaitlynn Hatfield of Hewitt-Trussville have also committed to the Cardinals.
“We feel fortunate to have this group of outstanding athletes,” Clark said. “I’m excited to coach this group and watch them work and grow as athletes. I am ready to see what they can achieve at Gadsden State.”