Gerald going from Baldwin County High School to Shelton State softball

All-county third baseman, Tigers’ offensive player of the year to join Bucs squad under new head coach

Staff Report
Posted 11/18/22

Baldwin County High School’s Aspen Gerald signed a scholarship Friday, Nov. 18, to play softball for Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa. It cemented the commitment Gerald made to the …

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Gerald going from Baldwin County High School to Shelton State softball

All-county third baseman, Tigers’ offensive player of the year to join Bucs squad under new head coach

Posted

Baldwin County High School’s Aspen Gerald signed a scholarship Friday, Nov. 18, to play softball for Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa. It cemented the commitment Gerald made to the Buccaneers’ softball program Oct. 27.

The third baseman has been part of the Lady Tigers’ varsity team since eighth grade and has been a key player for the team since day one. Gerald has also provided the play to advance her team in the postseason twice.

In 2019, Gerald had the game-winning hit against Gulf Shores to help Baldwin County advance in the Class 6A South Region Championship and eventually led to its first state-championship berth since 2002.

Last season, she smashed a solo home run to break a scoreless tie then caught the final out in foul territory to beat Robertsdale in the regional title game and advance the back team to the state tournament.

This year, Gerald said her goal is to bring a Blue Map trophy back to Bay Minette after the Lady Tigers are crowned state champions.

Her head coach, Anthony Cox, knows Baldwin County is closer to that goal with Gerald in the lineup and she’ll likely continue making that large of an impact at the next level.

“She’s coachable, a team player, a good teammate, dedicated, and she enjoys playing the game,” Cox said. “Shelton State is getting not only a very good softball player but an even better person with high character, intelligence and an excellent student-athlete.”

Gerald serves as co-captain of the Lady Tigers and helped lead the team to the Elite 8 State Tournament during her first season. In her junior season, Gerald led the team in hitting with a .385 batting average, .493 on-base percentage, 7 home runs, 34 RBIs, 21 walks and 8 stolen bases.

She has a career batting average of .350 to go along with 17 home runs and 100 RBIs for Baldwin County High School entering her senior season.

Shelton State competes in Division I of the National Junior College Athletic Association and finished 25-32 overall last season with an 11-18 mark in the Alabama Community College Conference. Despite the Bucs’ No. 6 seed, Shelton State made a run to the semifinals of the Region XXII Tournament Championship before finding the end of the road.

Gerald’s was the second signing in as many days in Bay Minette after Trevor Murphy signed with Bishop State’s baseball team.