Alexis Shepherd signs with Toledo, joins large group of college-committed softballers
GAYLORD ― If you know anything about the Gaylord softball program, you probably know about their 2023 state title run or the star players that made it happen.
Blue Devils softball players have earned a vaunted reputation after what they have accomplished in the past three years, winning three straight Big North Conference titles, three straight MHSAA district titles and the program's first state title a season ago while setting a new single-season home run record.
Home run record: Queens of the long ball: Gaylord softball breaks MHSAA single-season home run record
State title: Mission Accomplished: Gaylord softball completes journey to first-ever state title
All those accomplishments come from a lot of hard work from a talented group of girls, and a few more from that talented group decided on their college homes at a National Signing Day Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 20, in Gaylord, Mich.
With a roster that has accomplished so much and has multiple nationally ranked players, even a star like senior Alexis Shepherd can sometimes get lost in the mix of what makes the team so successful. However, her talent has never been lost on the coaching staff at the University of Toledo, and now Shepherd officially joined the Rockets' 2024 signing class after signing her NLI last Wednesday.
Shepherd, a three-year varsity starter at second base, has thrived in her role as one of the most consistent hitters and fielders in the lineup. She finished with a .408 batting average last year with 51 total hits, highlighted by a 2-for-4, four-RBI performance in Gaylord's 8-3 state title-winning victory over Vicksburg.
The second-team all-conference infielder had a few other offers from some smaller schools but said it was the coaching staff at Toledo that ultimately sold her on moving south of the Michigan border.
"Just the coaches," said Shepherd when asked about the biggest factor in why she chose Toledo. "They were just so inviting and welcomed me with open arms."
Toledo's head coach is Jessica Bracamonte, who took over in June of 2022 after serving as an assistant coach at Duke for three seasons. She also spent 2013 to 2019 in Mount Pleasant, Mich., as an assistant at Central Michigan.
Shepherd is one of seven players from last year's state championship team to commit to playing softball in college, six of which are back in 2024 for another state title run.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord's Alexis Shepherd signs with University of Toledo softball
