Gadsden State softball program rebuild continues with 21 additions to roster

GADSDEN – The past two weeks haven’t been ordinary for Gadsden State Community College athletics.

First, the school broke ground on a $10 million softball-baseball complex.

This week, the Cardinals announced 21 signees for the school’s first softball team since 2016.

Meanwhile, additional players have made verbal commitments to the resurrected program.

“We have a great group of ladies coming to Gadsden State to play softball,” head coach Ryan Clark said. “I am very proud that they will represent our first team after not fielding a team for seven years.”

The softball program came to a halt in 2016 and, in April 2022, GSCC President Dr. Kathy Murphy announced Gadsden State was reinstating softball and baseball. Clark was hired in August.

“The opportunity to be the head softball coach is not just a personal achievement for me,” he said. “I am eager to coach this team. We will work hard to build a program that the Gadsden State Cardinal family will be proud of.”

The new softball/baseball complex will be in the Gadsden Sports Park. It 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.”

Signees and commits: Abigail Payne, Hokes Bluff; Emma Croy, Glencoe; Lauren Farmer, Etowah; Jasie Brooks, Southside; Ava Ramsey, Southside; Chloe Gattis, Alexandria; Maribeth Parette, Wetumpka; Ashley Burgess, Edgewood Academy; Madison Allen, Auburn; Rachel McCown, Madison County; Aubrey Kerst, Villa Rica; Karli Crocker, Pickens Academy; Kennadi Johnson, Pell City; Ally Croy, Chattooga; Kirby Wisner, Sylvania; Lanie Williams, Cherokee County; Caybree Dobbins, North Sand Mountain; Tennley Johnson, Oneonta; Reagan Sanders, Oxford; Ella Kelley, Hamilton; Kaitlynn Hatfield, Hewitt-Trussville.

“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.”