AL HS Team Preview: Northside Rams

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason Top 10 in each AHSAA classification. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each AHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. One thing that you especially don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state as well as recaps and previews of big games across the state.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

High School Name: Northside Rams

Coach’s Name: Lance Green 

Classification: AHSAA 4A 

2022 Record: 16-7

Area Number: Class 4A, Area 6 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4 

Team Strengths: Senior Leadership

Top Returning Players:

• C Davis Perdue (Bevill State CC, 2023)
• SS/RHP Jaden Roberts (2023)
• 1B Peyton Beard (2023)
• OF Braden Green (2023)
• OF Camden Sumner (2023)
• MIF/RHP Fisher Roberts (2025)

Team Outlook

The Northside Rams enter the spring of 2023 excited to get back a strong nucleus of returning starters that bring back tons of experience to this year's team. They amassed an impressive amount of wins last year with 16, but just missed the playoffs in Class 4A in a tough area that consisted of American Christian Academy, Gordo and Holt.

The Rams had a strong offense last spring, outscoring their opponents 229-84 en route to a 16-7 record in 2022. They'll be eager to have that same type of offensive success this spring with most of the lineup coming back. American Christian Academy and Gordo have been two powerhouses in the Class 4A over the past few years, although being in the same area. Their area this spring, however, looks a bit different as Sipsey Valley replaces Gordo, who moved down a classification to Class 3A. C Davis Perdue (Bevill State CC signee, 2023) is a big piece returning for the Rams, as he hit around the .400 mark in batting average a season ago. The senior backstop does a great job behind the plate and handles their pitching staff well. He's looking for another strong season this year for Northside. SS/RHP Jaden Roberts (2023) is another returning senior that will play a two-way role for the Rams in 2023. Last spring, Roberts also hit near the .400 mark in batting average and will be expected to be an important piece to the offense this year. He should hit in the leadoff spot utilizing his speed while being one of their top pitchers in the rotation. 1B Peyton Beard (2023) also returns to the middle of the order this spring after being a consistent run-producer that hit over .350 last spring. He has serious power from the right side and is looking for another breakout season. Two more seniors who played last spring to keep an eye on will be INF Braden Green (2023) and OF Camden Sumner (2023). Green is a solid defender up the middle and hit .390 last spring, while Sumner also hit over .300 and can cover a ton of ground in the outfield defensively. Rounding out the returners, MIF/RHP Fisher Roberts (2025) is one of the few underclassmen who brings back experience after starting as a freshman last year. He hit .390 in batting average and should only continue to get better over the coming years.

The Rams will once again be a threat in Class 4A this spring with a strong core of seniors, most of which have played varsity innings since their freshman seasons, looking to lead the way. They've always been very competitive over the years, but had a tough route to the playoffs due to how difficult their area has been. They'll look to breakthrough this spring and be a serious contender in Class 4A.

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