By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
Ashlynn Campbell finished her 5-year career with the Wetumpka High School softball program the way that every athlete dreams: holding the championship trophy. Her softball career isn’t over yet. She has signed a scholarship with the Purdue Boilermakers out of the Big 10 conference.
Campbell set several school and state records during her career at Wetumpka. In her senior season, her batting average was .534. Her career batting average was .523, a school record for a career at Wetumpka. She also set school career records at Wetumpka for on base percentage (.585), runs scored (245), stolen bases (202), and hits (296).
In her senior season alone, Campbell scored 90 runs, had 78 stolen bases, and 102 hits. Per Max Preps, Campbell led the state in each category. Further, she was second in the nation in runs scored and stolen bases and first in hits.
Campbell’s post-season honors were long. She was ranked as the 41st player in the nation by Extra Inning Softball. She was named All County and All Metro from 2021 – 2023. She was a participant in the Alabama North-South game in 2022 and was named an All-American by Extra Inning Softball in 2021/2022. The same publication also named Campbell the National Player of the Week once in 2023.
While Campbell racked up many impressive individual statistics and honors, she hopes that her work ethic set the tone for the Indians that are returning next season to defend the school’s state championship. “Being the only senior, it’s going to be tough letting go and I hope that I was able to lead and set the mindset to go after another one next year. As a team, we worked so hard and pushed through all the adversity we faced from the previous season.”
Winning the Class 6A state championship was obviously Campbell’s favorite memory of the season, but it was what happened prior to that which also had an equally lasting effect on the Wetumpka graduate. “My favorite memory as a student was the sendoff the faculty, students, and local community gave us going to state.”
Campbell also enjoyed the support received from not only teammates but others in the community. “Whether it be from coaches, teachers, principals, the local community, everyone was supporting us and pushing us to be great on and off the field.”
Choosing Purdue, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, as her college destination was a decision that was made after visiting many different college campuses. “There was just something about when I stepped on campus at Purdue. I just knew I wanted to go there. The facilities were absolutely amazing, Power 5, the educational possibilities, the NIL possibilities, the coaches, and many other things that just stood out. I wanted to go somewhere far, and Purdue was just the right fit for me.”
Traveling out of the state for softball will be nothing new to Campbell. Playing softball for 13 years with travel ball clubs and high school teams, she has traveled to Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Kansas, California, Colorado, South Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
Campbell’s goal at Purdue will be to work hard and earn a starting spot her freshman year. “I want to contribute as a teammate and be a difference maker. I also want to receive a great education. I would like to study Kinesiology and hope to one day become a trainer and help athletes excel and prevent injuries along the way.”
Starting softball as a freshman at a Power 5 school far away from home is a lofty goal, but it is one that the national high school leader in hits, and state leader in runs and stolen bases, has a great chance of earning, and adding yet another honor to an impressive softball career.
