By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Stanhope Elmore High School Baseball Coach Kaleb Shuman recently won his 200th career game. Shuman won close to 85 games in four seasons at Northside Methodist High School in Dothan prior to taking over the Mustangs’ program in 2020. He is currently in his 6th season leading the baseball program.
“It is a blessing to have the fortune to be a part of that many wins,” said Shuman. “I’m most thankful I’ve been able to be in a position to try to have a positive influence on students. Winning games is great, but there are far more things to measure the true success of a coach. I hope, looking back, that I am remembered more for having positive impact than wins and losses.”
There have been some big wins along the way as the Mustangs advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 6A playoffs in 2022 and then the semi-finals in 2023.
“It would be tough to pick just one game from the many I’ve gotten to be a part of; but, I would say beating Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa in 2023 to send us to the semi-finals would have to be near the top of the list. They had put us out of the playoffs and ended our season two years in a row, so being able to beat them, move to the next round, and avenge the previous classes final losses, made that game a little more significant.”
The program’s success has seen 15 different players that have gone on to play college baseball. Current seniors Tyler Woodham (Wallace State Community College) and Jackson Stallworth (Pensacola State Junior College) signed scholarships in December 2024.
There has also been a 100% graduation rate for players in the baseball program.
“The program’s sustained success has required much more than just me. It has been a combination of many factors including great kids who want to work, want to win, and want to do things the right way. It is the supportive parents who care about helping their kids as well as the program as a whole, and administrators like our Principal Ewell Fuller, and Athletic Director Hunter Adams, who put us in the best situations possible to be successful. The assistant coaches like Wade Atchley, Joe Mason, Jake Brewer, Caleb Stinchcomb, and Jess Smith who dedicate so much time and effort into the kids and team; and my supportive wife, Kimberly, who handles so much at home that allows me to dedicate so much of my time to putting the program in the best situation possible.”
Currently, the Mustangs are in the final stretch of the 2025 regular season. Their record sits at 19-12 overall, 4-0 in area play, including a 7-4 win over Wetumpka in their first meeting just last night. The Mustangs are on a 6-game winning streak as they head into the most important day of the season, a doubleheader on Thursday, April 10, against area foe Wetumpka.
“The season goals are always the same: Win the area, win the next round of the playoffs, and eventually win the state championship. Very few teams ever get to accomplish all of those things, but winning at the highest level possible will always be what we strive towards.”
