The St. Louis Gateway Gold has signed outfielder Morgan DeBord, bringing a proven collegiate producer and early professional experience to its inaugural Professional Softball League roster ahead of the 2027 season.
DeBord, a left-handed-hitting, right-handed-throwing outfielder from the Hillsboro, Oregon, area (Glencoe High School), arrives in St. Louis after a five-year Division I career that included four seasons at Loyola Marymount and a graduate year at Minnesota. She started 206 of 208 career games, posting a .323 batting average with 196 hits, 31 doubles, 10 triples, 17 home runs, and 111 RBIs while scoring 137 runs. Defensively reliable and athletic, she also brings speed and multi-sport background from high school, where she competed in softball, volleyball, track and field, and basketball.
Her graduate season with the Golden Gophers in 2024 stood out. DeBord started all 53 games in center field, hit .359 with 51 hits, 9 doubles, 3 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 36 runs scored. She earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors, a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team, NFCA Great Lakes All-Region Second Team recognition, and CSC Academic All-District honors. She closed the year by hitting safely in seven consecutive games and produced multiple multi-hit and multi-RBI performances, including a four-RBI effort against Ohio State.
DeBord transitioned to the professional ranks with Athletes Unlimited (and its evolving AUSL format) in 2024. As a rookie, she appeared in games during the AUX and Championship seasons, recording hits, runs scored, and stolen bases while adapting to the unique weekly redraft format. She has spoken publicly about the opportunity as a chance to extend her career and compete at a high level after college.
The Gateway Gold, co-founded in part by former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan, officially joined the Professional Softball League earlier this month after strong exhibition attendance at CarShield Field in O’Fallon. The six-team league will feature a 40-game schedule from June to August. Player signings began in mid-October, and the Gold has already added pieces such as infielder Brooke Ellestad as it builds for its first season. Home venue details, the full schedule, ownership group, and ticket information are expected in the coming weeks and months.
DeBord’s combination of contact ability, gap power, defensive range, and experience in both power conferences and professional settings gives the Gateway Gold another versatile outfield option as the franchise establishes itself in the St. Louis market. The team has emphasized investing in athletes and the future of professional softball in the region following its exhibition success.
The Gateway Gold’s 2027 campaign will mark the league’s second year of competition. Further roster announcements are expected as the organization continues assembling its inaugural roster.
