Student-athletes around the country are putting pen to paper this week to lock in college commitments as part of National Signing Day. In Baldwin County, already a dozen athletes from six schools have reportedly sealed commitments or had plans to on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

A trio of Bayside Academy baseball players signed with three different Division I programs and another DI-bound baseball player from Spanish Fort sealed his pledge to another. One fellow Toro joined them in signing with Alabama football and another cemented a commitment to New Orleans volleyball.

Top softball prospects from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores found their college homes, as did a track and field athlete from Elberta. A pair of Spanish Fort golfers will have one more high school season as teammates before competing against each other at the next level.

Wednesday’s slate of signings was set to end with a lacrosse goalie putting pen to paper to join one of the top programs in the country in Virginia. This article will be updated as more signings filter in.

Bayside Academy baseball – Carson Joyner to Louisiana-Monroe, Gatlin Pitts to Samford, Teague Broadhead to Southern Miss

All members of last year’s state semifinal squad, this Trio of Admirals follow in the footsteps of Josh Gunther who signed with Wake Forest last fall and is already throwing for the Demon Deacons.

Pitts, listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, was the first of the group to commit on Sept. 28, 2022, where he set himself up to join another Eastern Shore standout in John Malone. Joyner, 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, announced his commitment to the Warhawks on Dec. 30, 2022, before Broadhead, 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, made his pledge to the Golden Eagles on Aug. 17.

Spanish Fort – Sterling Dixon to Alabama football, Alexis Belarmino to New Orleans volleyball, Jack Holley to Georgia State baseball, Katie Hallmark to Shelton State golf, Ashlynd Madden to Mississippi College golf

Even though he missed a game, Sterling Dixon (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) still led the Toro football team with 118 total tackles including 28 tackles for loss, in his final high school season before joining the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Dixon made his commitment to Alabama on Dec. 1, 2022, after his standout junior season with Mobile Christian. He made the jump to Class 6A for his senior season and helped Spanish Fort to a home playoff game in the first round.

A decorated member of the Spanish Fort volleyball team, Alexis Belarmino (5-foot-11) announced her commitment to New Orleans before her final season with the Toros. A member of last year’s all-state tournament team, Belarmino was one of three Spanish Fort players named to the Class 6A All-State team by the Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association this fall.

Catcher Jack Holley (6-foot, 180 pounds) was a key piece to the Toros’ run to the Class 6A state championship series this past spring before competing in the AHSAA All-Star Game this summer. He followed that up with a standout performance at the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series National Combine earlier this fall at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, fresh off a hand injury.

Holley announced his commitment to the Georgia State Panthers on Nov. 7, 2022.

Ashlynd Madden and Katie Hallmark finished fourth and fifth respectively for the state runner-up Spanish Fort golf team this past spring which was an improvement from ninth- and 11th-place finishes the previous state meet. The pair was also recognized with all-county distinction following the 2022 season.

Orange Beach softball – Falyn Beebe to Northwest Florida State

In one of the three sports Falyn Beebe (5-foot-9) plays at Orange Beach, she is a three-time state champion with the Mako softball squad.

Beebe committed to the Raider softball program fresh off Orange Beach’s third consecutive Blue Map trophy this past spring on May 22. She followed that up by helping the Mako volleyball squad earn a second straight area title this fall.

Gulf Shores softball – Tia Titi to Marshall

Another top softball prospect, Tia Titi (5-foot-6) originally committed to NC State before reopening her recruitment following coaching changes. Just a few months later, she made her pledge to Marshall on Sept. 5 after she represented Gulf Shores at the AHSAA All-Star Game.

Titi was also named a second-team all-state catcher by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after she helped the Dolphins win their first area title since 2014.

Elberta track – Trey Ridenour to Alabama-Huntsville

The 2023 Baldwin County champion in the javelin throw, Trey Ridenour is also a two-time state qualifier on the outdoor track circuit for the Elberta Warriors.

The 6-foot, 200-pound athlete was offered by the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers on Oct. 28 and committed to the program three days later on Oct. 31. Ridenour also received offers from Viterbo, Indiana Tech and Augusta.

Daphne – Troy Capstraw to Virginia lacrosse

Off the lacrosse field, Troy Capstraw is a National Honor Society member and is on the Daphne Junior City Council.

On the field, he’s one of the top goalie recruits in the nation and has been committed to the seven-time champion Virginia Cavaliers since Sept. 8, 2022.

A 6-foot-5, 205-pound athlete, Capstraw has twice been named an Under Armour All-American, thrice named an Inside Lacrosse All-Star and represented the Lower Alabama Bayhawks as the Gulf South Lacrosse League's Defensive MVP.