Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

PB South Alabama Showdown: Preview

February 19, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

 

We’re excited to introduce the 2025 Prep Baseball South Alabama Showdown, an event that continues to grow and will now feature 20 of Alabama’s top high school programs this season. This highly anticipated tournament is set for Thursday, February 20th, through Saturday, February 22nd, across four host sites: Gulf Shores Sportsplex, Orange Beach Sportsplex, Robertsdale High School, and Volanta Park.

The 2024 edition of the South Alabama Showdown featured 15 teams competing at Gulf Shores Sportsplex, Orange Beach Sportsplex, and Robertsdale High School. Many of those programs spent much of the season ranked in the top 10 of their classifications, with several making deep playoff runs in the Class 7A-1A postseason.

Now, we take a closer look at this year’s 20-team field, breaking down key returners, team schedules, 2024 finishes, and more.

For the full schedule of games happening this Thursday through Saturday, CLICK HERE. To purchase GoFan tickets and catch the action live, see below.

To purchase GoFan tickets, use the links below. GoFan tickets are $8, while cash purchases at the gate are $10. A single ticket grants access to all four sites for the entire day.

+ American Christian Patriots 

Head Coach: Del Howell
Team X: @ACATuscaloosa
Classification, Area No.: Class 5A, Area 9
Preseason Ranking: 5A No. 5
2024 Finish: Class 4A Runner-Up
Schedule:

  • American Christian vs. Gulf Shores (Thursday, 6:30 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
  • American Christian vs. Bayside Academy (Friday, 2:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)
  • American Christian vs. Spain Park (Saturday, 11:30 AM, Robertsdale HS)
  • American Christian vs. Robertsdale (Saturday, 2:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Baldwin County Tigers 

    Head Coach: Trent Higginbothem
    Team X: @BCHSBSB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 2
    Preseason Ranking: 6A "Outside the Top-10"
    2024 Finish: Class 6A Elite 8
    Schedule:

    • Baldwin County vs. Hartselle (Friday, 7:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Baldwin County vs. Smiths Station (Saturday, 2:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Baldwin County Tigers, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Bayside Academy Admirals 

    Head Coach: Matt Limbaugh
    Team X: @BaysideBSB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 4A, Area 1
    Preseason Ranking: 4A No. 6
    2024 Finish: Class 4A 1st Round
    Schedule:

    • Bayside Academy vs. Daphne (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
    • Bayside Academy vs. American Christian (Friday, 2:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)
    • Bayside Academy vs. Hueytown (Friday, 6:30 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Chelsea Hornets 

    Head Coach: Michael Stallings
    Team X: @CHSHornetBBall
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 7
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 2
    2024 Finish: No Postseason
    Schedule:

    • Chelsea vs. Orange Beach (Thursday, 6:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Chelsea vs. Mobile Christian (Friday, 2:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Chelsea vs. St. Paul's Episcopal (Saturday, 9:00 AM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
    • Chelsea vs. Spanish Fort (Saturday, 11:30 AM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Chelsea Hornets, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Daphne Trojans 

    Head Coach: Charles Basford
    Team X: @DHSBaseball19
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 2
    Preseason Ranking: N/A
    2024 Finish: Class 7A 1st Round
    Schedule:

    • Daphne vs. Bayside Academy (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
    • Daphne vs. Tuscaloosa County (Friday, 4:30 PM, Volanta Park)

    Notable Returners:

    + Fairhope Pirates 

    Head Coach: Kyle Hunter
    Team X: @FairhopeBB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 2
    Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 6
    2024 Finish: Class 7A Elite 8
    Schedule:

    • Fairhope vs. St. Paul's Episcopal (Friday, 7:00 PM, Volanta Park)
    • Fairhope vs. Hartselle (Saturday, 10:00 AM, Volanta Park)
    • Fairhope vs. Tuscaloosa County (Saturday, 3:00 PM, Volanta Park)

    Notable Returners:

    + Gulf Shores Dolphins

    Head Coach: Chris Jacks
    Team X: @FinsBaseball
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 2
    Preseason Ranking: 6A "Outside the Top-10"
    2024 Finish: Class 5A Sweet 16
    Schedule:

    • Gulf Shores vs. American Christian (Thursday, 6:30 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
    • Gulf Shores vs. Orange Beach (Friday, 7:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
    • Gulf Shores vs. Smiths Station (Saturday, 4:30 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Gulf Shores Dolphins, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Hartselle Tigers 

    Head Coach: Brad Phillips
    Team X: @HartselleBSB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 15
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 1
    2024 Finish: Class 6A Runner-Up
    Schedule:

    • Hartselle vs. Spain Park (Friday, 4:30 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Hartselle vs. Baldwin County (Friday, 7:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Hartselle vs. Fairhope (Saturday, 10:00 AM, Volanta Park)
    • Hartselle vs. Tuscaloosa County (Saturday, 12:30 PM, Volanta Park)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Hartselle Tigers, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Hueytown Golden Gophers 

    Head Coach: Billy Chandler
    Team X: @GoldenGopherBB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 8
    Preseason Ranking: 6A "Outside the Top-10"
    2024 Finish: Class 6A Sweet 16
    Schedule:

    • Hueytown vs. UMS-Wright (Thursday, 3:30 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Hueytown vs. Smiths Station (Friday, 4:30 PM, Robertsdale HS)
    • Hueytown vs. Orange Beach (Saturday, 2:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Hueytown vs. Bayside Academy (Saturday, 4:30 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)

    Notable Returners:

    + Mobile Christian Leopards 

    Head Coach: Talley Haines
    Team X: @MCSBaseball2
    Classification, Area No.: Class 5A, Area 2
    Preseason Ranking: 5A No. 3
    2024 Finish: Class 5A Runner-Up
    Schedule:

    • Mobile Christian vs. Chelsea (Friday, 2:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Mobile Christian vs. Thompson (Saturday, 11:30 AM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)

    Notable Returners:

    + Orange Beach Makos 

    Head Coach: Josh Hoyle
    Team X: @OrangeBeachBSB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 4A, Area 1
    Preseason Ranking: 4A No. 3
    2024 Finish: Class 4A 1st Round
    Schedule:

    • Orange Beach vs. Chelsea (Thursday, 6:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
    • Orange Beach vs. Gulf Shores (Friday, 7:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
    • Orange Beach vs. Hueytown (Saturday, 2:00 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Orange Beach Makos, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Robertsdale Bears 

    Head Coach: Dakota Bodree
    Team X: @RobertsdaleHSB1
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 2
    Preseason Ranking: N/A
    2024 Finish: No Postseason
    Schedule:

    • Robertsdale vs. Tuscaloosa County (Thursday, 7:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)
    • Robertsdale vs. Smiths Station (Friday, 7:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)
    • Robertsdale vs. American Christian (Saturday, 2:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Saraland Spartans

    Head Coach: Brett Boutwell
    Team X: @SaralandB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 1
    Preseason Ranking: 6A "Outside the Top-10"
    2024 Finish: Class 6A Sweet 16
    Schedule:

    • Saraland vs. Thompson (Saturday, 9:00 AM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Saraland Spartans, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Smiths Station Panthers   

    Head Coach: Wesley Byrd
    Team X: @SmithsStationBB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 4
    Preseason Ranking: N/A
    2024 Finish: No Postseason
    Schedule:

    • Smiths Station vs. Hueytown (Friday, 4:30 PM, Robertsdale HS)
    • Smiths Station vs. Robertsdale (Friday, 7:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)
    • Smiths Station vs. Baldwin County (Saturday, 2:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
    • Smiths Station vs. Gulf Shores (Saturday, 4:30 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)

      Notable Returners:

      + Spain Park Jaguars 

      Head Coach: Will Smith
      Team X: @SPJagBaseball
      Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 7
      Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 7
      2024 Finish: Class 7A Sweet 16
      Schedule:

      • Spain Park vs. Spanish Fort (Thursday, 4:30 PM, Robertsdale HS)
      • Spain Park vs. Hartselle (Friday, 4:30 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
      • Spain Park vs. UMS-Wright (Saturday, 9:00 AM, Robertsdale HS)
      • Spain Park vs. American Christian (Saturday, 11:30 AM, Robertsdale HS)

      Notable Returners:

      + Spanish Fort Toros

      Head Coach: Tommy Walker
      Team X: @SpanishFortBSBL
      Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 2
      Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 6
      2024 Finish: Class 6A Final 4
      Schedule:

      • Spanish Fort vs. Spain Park (Thursday, 4:30 PM, Robertsdale HS)
      • Spanish Fort vs. Thompson (Friday, 4:30 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
      • Spanish Fort vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 11:30 AM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)

        Notable Returners:

        + St. Paul's Episcopal Saints 

        Head Coach: Andy Robbins
        Team X: @StPaulsBSBL
        Classification, Area No.: Class 5A, Area 2
        Preseason Ranking: 5A No. 2
        2024 Finish: Class 5A Sweet 16
        Schedule:

        • St. Paul's Episcopal vs. Fairhope (Friday, 7:00 PM, Volanta Park)
        • St. Paul's Episcopal vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 9:00 AM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)

          Notable Returners:

          + Thompson Warriors 

          Head Coach: Frankie Perez
          Team X: @ThompsonBaseba1
          Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 5
          Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 2
          2024 Finish: Class 7A Elite 8
          Schedule:

          • Thompson vs. UMS-Wright (Friday, 2:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
          • Thompson vs. Spanish Fort (Friday, 4:30 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
          • Thompson vs. Saraland (Saturday, 9:00 AM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
          • Thompson vs. Mobile Christian (Saturday, 11:30 AM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)

          Notable Returners:

          + Tuscaloosa County Wildcats

          Head Coach: Nick Richardson
          Team X: @TuscaloosaCoun1
          Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 5
          Preseason Ranking: 7A "Outside the Top-10"
          2024 Finish: No Postseason
          Schedule:

          • Tuscaloosa County vs. Robertsdale (Thursday, 7:00 PM, Robertsdale HS)
          • Tuscaloosa County vs. Daphne (Friday, 4:30 PM, Volanta Park)
          • Tuscaloosa County vs. Hartselle (Saturday, 12:30 PM, Volanta Park)
          • Tuscaloosa County vs. Fairhope (Saturday, 3:00 PM, Volanta Park)

            Notable Returners:

            + UMS-Wright Bulldogs 

            Head Coach: Kevin Raley
            Team X: @UMSWBaseball
            Classification, Area No.: Class 5A, Area 1
            Preseason Ranking: 5A "Outside the Top-10"
            2024 Finish: No Postseason
            Schedule:

            • UMS-Wright vs. Hueytown (Thursday, 3:30 PM, Orange Beach Sportsplex)
            • UMS-Wright vs. Thompson (Friday, 2:00 PM, Gulf Shores Sportsplex)
            • UMS-Wright vs. Spain Park (Saturday, 9:00 AM, Robertsdale HS)

              Notable Returners:

              + Follow on Twitter: @PrepBaseballAL
              + Follow on Instagram: @PrepBaseballAL
              + Follow on Facebook: Prep Baseball Alabama

                

              + Click HERE to create a free profile.
              + Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site. 

                

              Related Content: