Bainbridge High School baseball player, Ashley Summerlin started his legacy on the field in 2000, but now he is creating a new legacy at Port St. Joe High School, leading them to their first state championship since 1997.

When Summerlin graduated high school he went to play baseball at Enterprise State Community College before finishing at LaGrange College as a first baseman. Once Summerlin finished college ball he knew he wanted to be a coach.

“Just being a kid in high school, I always wanted to be a coach,” he said. “Learning from Coach Horne and Coach Killough and seeing the way they treated players made me want to try and help kids.”

That opportunity came for Summerlin in January, when he was asked to coach at Port St. Joe High School.

Summerlin saw that the team had the talent; they just needed some direction. He wanted to enforce mental toughness in the players and teach them to win every day, not just on game days.

“Go win every day,” he would tell them. “Do not let the day beat you.”

The team took these words to heart and played throughout the season with a winning attitude. This mental toughness led them to their final win in the state championship against Madison County with a 4-0 win.

Summerlin is proud of his team, but is even more proud to give the community the state championship they have been wanting so long.

He hopes in the future he can continue to help players and kids move forward in the direction of their dreams and on the field.