GADSDEN– After a school-record 41 wins in the spring, Gadsden State softball took on a tougher fall schedule. Head coach Ryan Clark and the Lady Cardinals have one NCAA Division I matchup remaining, against Alabama A&M.

The fall schedule has already included Troy, Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State, Memphis, Austin Peay, and Auburn. For Clark, facing those programs gives his players a chance to measure themselves against Division I competition. It also puts them in front of coaches at four-year schools where they might continue their careers.

“We are to a point in our program to where we need to be playing these teams,” Clark said. “We want to play them for multiple reasons. We want to be able to play at a high level to compete with them, as well as get our athletes looked at for the next level.”

Since restarting the program, Clark has emphasized competition, player development, and steady improvement. In the spring, the Lady Cardinals opened 24–0. They also spent several weeks in the national Top 25 before finishing with a school-record 41 victories.

Meanwhile, Gadsden State has played 12 regulation games against junior college teams this fall. According to the college, the Lady Cardinals outscored those opponents 117–27. In addition, eight of those games ended early under the mercy rule.

With Alabama A&M still ahead, Clark wants the team to carry that momentum into the spring. The goals are to build on the record season, keep developing players, and help them earn opportunities beyond Gadsden State.

For more information, visit Gadsden State Athletics.

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