Who says you can’t go home again?

Author Thomas Wolfe wrote a popular book by that title (which was published posthumously in 1940) and in the last few pages the famous line “You can’t go home again” is used.

That may be true in many cases, but for Aubrey Shelton, the talented middle infielder who’s a junior at Patriot (Nokesville, Va.) High and also plays for Dave Amsler’s title-winning Unity team, she will be going home… as in where she was born.

You see, Aubrey was born in Westerville, Ohio—in the Columbus area—which is exactly where she’ll be headed after graduating high school to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten.

The junior was ranked No. 28 in the Line Drive Media HOT 100 released earlier this month and had a strong season for her Patriot High team last spring when she batted .400 with a .456 on-base percentage, 22 RBIs and a .951 fielding percentage in 19 games.

We recently caught up with Aubrey to learn more about her recruiting process and what led her to commit to the Buckeyes… here’s what she had to say:

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NAME: Aubrey Shelton
Position(s): MIF/UTL
High School (City/ST): Patriot High School
Club Team: Unity Amsler/Johnson
Grad Year: 2028
Committed To: THE Ohio State
Date Committed: Sept. 7, 2026

What would you say are your top achievements, stats, honors and/or accomplishments over the last year and/or for your career?
My team and I won the 16U Sparkler National Power pool in Colorado this year. I am a two–time defensive MVP for my high school and am the starting shortstop since freshman year.

I have a 100 percent stolen base percentage this year for all of 2026 (high school and travel). I have a 70-mph overhand velo and a 2.84 home to first (most recent test).

Do you play other sports? If so, anything you’re proud to share?
I used to be starting varsity libero on my high school team as a sophomore, and I was awarded all district honors. I am full-time softball now.

What’s been a top 1-2 softball experience in your career?

1. Winning the Colorado Sparkler 16U National Power Pool.
2. Hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 7th, two outs with the score being 9-9 in a tough district high school game. I had two home runs in that game.

How did your future university first find you to start recruiting you?
I attended my first Buckeye camp in January of this year and I loved it. I started emailing them consistently to update them on my season.

When did they offer you a scholarship?
September 5^th during a campus visit.

When and how did you commit?
They called me at 2 pm on September 1^st and invited me out for a visit and a football game on September 5th. They also offered me a scholarship that day.

Because Ohio State was my No. 1 choice, I decided to go ahead and take the offer. I then announced my commitment on September 7th.

What was it about the school/program that made you decide it was the place for you? Did you have an “a ha” moment where it suddenly was obviously the right place for you?
I was born in the Columbus area. My family has always been Ohio State fans. I always feel very at home at Ohio State. I love the atmosphere of the school and the school spirit!

What did they say they liked about your game enough to offer you?
They loved my defense and athletic ability. They also said they loved how I got better every time they saw me.

Who helped you in your softball decision… anyone? Family? Coaches?
Coach Dave (Amsler) had lots of great things to say about Ohio State and what the school could offer for my future, both athletically and academically. My parents are Ohio State fans and they helped me with my decision a lot.

Do you know yet what you will study in college? What you’d like to do for a career after school/softball is over?
I want to major in Psychology and become a Sports Psychologist to help athletes with the mental side of the game.

What top tournaments/events will you and your team be playing in next year (2027)?
Colorado National Power Pool Sparkler and PGF Nationals for sure.

I don’t know them all, but we always go to those. We may go to Top Gun, Scenic City and PGF Show Me the Money. This fall, we are going to the Bombers Exposure Event, Show Me the Money, Clearwater Fall Classic, and the Battle of the Clubs.

Is there anything unusual or different about you that would be fun to share or mention?
I’m a multi-sport athlete. I’ve played volleyball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, swim team, gymnastics, and softball. I feel like all those experiences have helped me develop as an athlete.

What’s something about you off the field that not many know?
My faith is very important to me. It helped me find peace during this process and during stressful times.

What do you love most about softball?
The competitive nature of it. I love how there is a game within the game. I also love all the people I have met and all the places I’ve traveled to.

In one word, describe yourself on the field: Positive.
And off the field: Fun.