University of South Alabama Athletics

AT SOUTH ALABAMA
FRESHMAN SEASON (2025)    
• Appeared in 44 games, mainly as a pinch hitter, while making 11 starts
• Recorded two hits, drove in a pair of runs and scored 17 times, while also stealing six bases
• Of her 11 starts, 10 came in right field with the other coming as the designated player
• Made collegiate debut as a pinch runner in the season opener versus UAB (2/6) where she stole a pair of bases
• Scored a pair of runs, drove in a run and drew a walk versus UIC (2/8)
• Made first collegiate start at Arizona (2/13)
• Had a hit and scored a run in games two and three of the series with Marshall
• Also drove in a run in the series finale with the Thundering Herd 

AT SLOCOMB HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered six seasons at Slocomb High School in Slocomb, Ala., after joining the varsity squad in seventh grade
• Finished her prep career with a .429 batting average, a .536 on-base percentage, a .843 slugging percentage and a 1.379 OPS, and posted 38 home runs and 191 RBI
• Was a four-time all-state selection and a four-time selection to the Dothan Eagle Super 12 team
• As a senior, earned Second Team 4A all-state honors from the Alabama Sports Writers Association and was named to the Dothan Eagle Super 12 team
• Won the Kasey Cooper Home Run Derby and was selected as the BBN Sports Defensive Player of the Tournament at the Dothan Diamond Classic 
• Posted a .449 batting average with a .580 on-base percentage and an .887 slugging percentage with 45 runs scored, 12 home runs and 38 RBI
• Earned Second Team 4A all-state honors from the Alabama Sports Writers Association and was an honorable mention selection to the Dothan Eagle Super 12 team as a junior
• Hit .463 as a junior to go along with a .564 on-base percentage, a .887 slugging percentage and a 1.458 OPS, scoring 31 runs, six home runs and driving in 37
• Selected to compete at the 27th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star softball competition in 2023 for the North team
• Earned Second Team 4A all-state honors from the Alabama Sports Writers Association and was an honorable mention selection to the Dothan Eagle Super 12 team as a sophomore
• During the 2022 season, she was a 3A second-team all-state selection as a utility player and was named to the Dothan Eagle Super 12
•Earned honorable mention all-state honors in 2021 and was an honorable mention selection to the Dothan Eagle Super 12
• Also lettered four seasons in basketball for the Redtops
• Played club ball for Southern Steal where in 42 games, she batted .447 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 35 runs scored and 21 stolen bases

PERSONAL
• Full name is Gracie Jo Ward
• Born in Dothan, Ala.
• Daughter of Jerry and Jennifer Ward
• Has an older sister, Madison
• Majoring in sports management