Austin Akridge '22 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing baseball since t-ball, but it was during machine pitch that I really became interested in the game.  I began playing travel ball not long after.  My favorite aspects of the game are the strategy and competition involved - especially hitting, stealing bases and dominating the outfield.

Because of Covid, there was no sophomore year of high school baseball for me - no team bonding, no leadership stepping up from the year prior, no extra year to be a younger classman.  This year, half of our seniors quit mid-season and the other half have suffered multiple injuries, leaving a very young and inexperienced varsity team without upper classman leadership.   Game after game I saw my young team teammates struggling with self confidence and game-time execution.  I had to step up as a junior to be one of our team leaders both on and off the field this year.  It made a difference in team morale and our overall performance later in the season.

Academic skills do not come as easily to me as athletic skills do.  In 6th grade I was finally diagnosed with learning challenges and ADHD.  I’ve always had to put in extra work to be successful in the classroom.  When I moved into high school, I was placed in the track for average students.  A couple months into freshman year I asked to be moved up to the excel program because I wasn’t being challenged enough academically. I have to admit its tough being a student-athlete with ADHD and learning challenges in the excel program - but I’m determined to finish my senior year of high school in that program and on the honor roll. 

I am looking for a student-athlete college experience that will be a good fit for me academically while also continuing to strengthen my leadership and baseball skills and ultimately prepare me for life success.  I am ready to take my academic and athletic game to the next level working hard every day as a member of YOUR team!