The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com
Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com
PAGE 10 July 2025
Jax State Duo Selected in MLB Draft
Albertville recently competed in the ARPA District Swim Meet in Madison, where 20 athletes qualified for the 2025 State Swim Meet. Albertville had 16 swimmers qualify in individual events and four in relays only. Additionally, the number of swimmers making it to the state meet has grown over the years from one in 2023 to 20 this year. Below are a few standouts from the District Swim Meet • Jeremiah Ruiz (6 & Under) - 1st in 25 Freestyle and 25 Backstroke • Preston Conley (15-18 year old) - 2nd in 50 Breaststroke, 4th in 100 IM • Ali Sharp (11-12 year old) - 3rd in 50 Breaststroke, 5th in 50 Freestyle • Everett Lanier (8 & Under) - 5th in 25 Backstroke • Leigh Claire Armstrong (13-14 year old) - 2nd in Diving • Averley Armstrong (9-10 year old) - 4th in Diving The State ARPA Swim & Dive Meet was set for July 24–26, which is after the press deadline for this issue of The Sports Ledger. The State meet will be hosted by SMPA with diving hosted by Boaz. The 2025 State Qualifiers include: Averley Armstrong, Leigh Claire Armstrong, Brett Bright, Preston Conley, Jayda de la Garza, Kaylee de la Garza, Everett Lanier, Grecia Leon, Jaime Martinez, Jesus Martinez, Mary Sims Nolan, Josabet Ocanto, Julia Rogers, Andy Ruiz, Jeremiah Ruiz, Jordy Ruiz, Ali Sharp, Christian Sharp, Jeremiah Tanner, and Elizabeth Willoughby. 20 Qualify For State Swim Meet Headlined by first rounders Doyle and Phillips, five of UT's eight selections were pitchers, setting another highwater mark for the program. Prior to Sunday night, the most pitchers picked in the first three rounds of any draft was two in 2022 and 2006. It was a record-setting night for the Tennessee baseball program on Sunday, July 14, during Day 1 of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft in Atlanta, GA. The Volunteers led all schools with a program-record eight players selected in the opening three rounds of this year's draft. The players include four first rounders including: Liam Doyle (St Louis Cardinals No. 5 overall), Gavin Kilen (San Francisco Giants No. 23 overall), Andrew Fischer (Milwaukee Brewers No. 20 overall) and Marcus Phillips (Boston Red Sox No. 33 overall ). Three other Volunteers were selected in the second round. They were: AJ Russell (Texas Rangers No. 52), Dean Curley (Cleveland Indians No. 64), and Tanner Franklin (St. Louis Cardinals No. 72). Nate Snead was selected in the third round by the Los Angles Angels (No. 105 overall). Tennessee's four first-round picks were a program high and the number tied with Arkansas for the most of any school in this year's draft. The Volunteer's seven players picked in the first two rounds led all programs and was a school record, as well. Arkansas, LSU and Florida State, who all had four players taken in the opening night MLB draft, were the next closest programs to the Big Orange in terms of total players selected on Day 1. Eight Tennessee players selected in opening round of MLB Draft
His best outing of the season came during Jax State's run to the CUSA Championship game. In a pitcher’s duel against top-seeded Dallas Baptist, Phipps tossed a season- high 8.0 innings with 12 strikeouts and one earned run in a 2-1 setback to the Patriots. Scarborough is just the second Jax State player ever drafted by the Mets. The Pascagoula, MS native joined the Gamecocks after two seasons in the Mississippi JUCO ranks at East Mississippi Community College. Scarborough made 19 appearances out of the bullpen for the Gamecocks. He tossed 18.1 innings with 14 strikeouts. He was inserted into the closer's role during the season. Scarborough posted a season-high three strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work against Arkansas State on March 2, 2025. Overall, he collected a pair of saves and posted four wins as a junior at Jax State.
Two standout pitchers from the Jacksonville State University baseball team were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft. Senior pitcher Jackson Phipps was selected in the 16th round by the Athletics. The New York Mets drafted junior Joe Scarborough in the 19th round. With two selections this year, it marks the first time since 2019 that Jax State has had multiple players drafted. Phipps became the 68th Jax State player drafted by a MLB club and only the second Gamecock ever selected by the A's. Phipps was the Gamecocks' Friday night starter throughout the 2025 season. He was solid in Conference USA action, and he earned CUSA Second Team honors. Conference batters hit just .205 against him in 46.0 innings of work during the season. Phipps ranked third in the league in strikeouts with 71 and an overall earned run average of 3.59 in 67.2 innings. He has allowed one home run in the nine league games and 21 earned runs.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
2025 Geraldine Varsity Football Team
2025 Geraldine Varsity Cheerleaders Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
2025 Geraldine JV Football Team
Photo by Susan Armstrong, The Sports Ledger Albertville had 20 swimmers qualify for the 2025 State ARPA Swim & Dive Meet .
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
2025 Geraldine JV Cheerleaders
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease