Orange Beach aiming for AHSAA-record sixth consecutive title at state softball tournament

Five years ago, Ava Hodo authored a historic moment for the Orange Beach softball program with one swing of the bat. As a seventh-grader in 2021, Hodo blasted a walk-off, two-run home run to vault the Makos—then in their inaugural season—past Pisgah for the Class 2A state title. Alongside her, fellow seventh-grader Teagan Revette cemented her own legacy by earning series MVP honors.

Now seniors, the pair remains the heartbeat of a program that has exploded into the national spotlight. This week, they look to leave a final, indelible mark on the AHSAA record books as they chase a sixth consecutive state championship.

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Reflecting on their journey from middle schoolers who needed rides to practice at the city park to elite collegiate prospects, Orange Beach coach Shane Alexander expressed his pride. "To now see them, they’re talking about college, and you’re proud when you see all the hard work they put in," Alexander said.

The Makos, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, enter the tournament with a massive opening test against No. 2-ranked West Limestone. The stakes are historic; Orange Beach currently shares the record for five consecutive titles with Pisgah, the same program they defeated in that 2021 breakthrough.

"We’re just trying to send them out the proper way, and for us, that is a blue map," Alexander noted. "The standard’s been the standard this year, like it always has been, and these girls have responded."

Since that initial title, the program’s growth has been relentless. After a second Class 2A title in 2022, the move to Class 4A saw the Makos capture three straight crowns. Most recently, the team downed Curry 9-2 to secure their fifth straight ring.

Despite an extraordinary 42-1 record and constant national attention, Alexander insists his team is ignoring the noise. He says the players are far more focused on being teenagers—citing recent senior dinners—than the pressure of history.

A Balanced Attack

While veterans like Hodo and Revette lead the way, the roster also features a new generation of talent looking for their first taste of gold. Among the offensive leaders is Arkansas commit Katie King, who was named the Class 4A tournament MVP last year after a scorching performance at Choccolocco Park where she batted .642. The lineup remains deep with key contributors like Jayde Palmer, Taylor Poland, LC Robbins, and Addy Oldham.

"We’ve talked about Oxford, and you know what Day 1 is like," Alexander said. "It’s neat to have some new players that are going to be experiencing this for the first time, and still have some of these older ones who have experienced it multiple times."