Gaylord softball star Aubrey Jones verbally commits to Oklahoma State
GAYLORD ― Another Gaylord softball player has chosen their college home.
Junior Aubrey Jones has been a big part of the last two historic Gaylord softball seasons, a team that has won 53 games in two years, three straight Big North Conference championships and the program's first MHSAA state championship in 2023.
Jones, the 22nd ranked player in the Class of 2025, will call Stillwater, Okla. home after she graduates as the Gaylord softball star announced her verbal commitment to Oklahoma State University on Sunday, Oct. 15 via her Instagram.
"One reason I chose OSU is because of the competitive environment," said Jones. "I wanted to go somewhere I would be challenged every day."
Jones led the Blue Devils with 18 home runs last season, a team that broke the MHSAA single-season home run record with 72 total long balls in their Division 3 state title run in 2023. She also had a .480 batting average with 62 RBI and 55 runs scored from the plate while posting a 1.15 earned run average with an 11-1 record and 90 strikeouts from the circle, becoming one of four Blue Devils to earn all-state honors.
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The OK State Cowgirls are coached by Kenny Gajewski, a ninth-year head coach who has taken OSU on four trips to the Women’s College World Series and has made the NCAA Tournament every year. Jones said the coaching staff was another factor in her decision.
"They have been recruiting me for so long and I have such a special connection with them, it really does feel like a second family to me," said Jones.
Jones is one of six players returning from Gaylord's state title-winning softball team committed to play in college, joining her sister Jayden Jones (Virginia Tech), Alexis Shepherd (Toledo), Braleigh Miller (Ferris State), Addison Wangler (Ferris State) and Taylor Moeggenberg (Cornerstone).
Alexis Kozlowski (Class of 2023) is now a freshman at Ferris State, while senior Avery Parker is committed to play basketball at Northwood University.
Don't forget to check back in during the spring; Jones and the Blue Devils could very well be back in a state title race come next May. For now, OK State can celebrate its newest star from Northern Michigan.
Contact 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 Blue Devils softball star Aubrey Jones commits to Oklahoma State
