AU baseball opens season on road at West Georgia
By Shelbie Summerlin | Sports writer
College Baseball season is finally upon us, and the Augusta University baseball team is excited to get into action.
The Jaguars were supposed to open the campaign on Friday, Feb. 3, at West Georgia, but the heavy overnight rain made the field too wet, so the season will start today (Feb. 4).
Coming off of last season, the Jaguars have a goal to come out and play hard while staying positive and not focusing on the last season when AU went 14-34.
Britt Kelly, senior left-handed pitcher from Roswell, says the team needs to stay motivated and push through the tough moments.
“We can keep positive by just having a one game at a time mindset, win or lose, and don’t look back and dwell on any one game too long,” said Kelly. “Just be ready for the next one and be ready to give it our all.”
Jordan Wilkie, a senior infielder from Cartersville, feels this team is different this year in their demeanor and attitude.
“I feel like there is more of a will to win this season,” said Wilkie. “These guys, including myself, made it clear what we are chasing this season. To get to that point, these guys put in the work every day, in the weight room, to the field dreaming of that end goal. That is what differs from last season, the grit and determination we have.”
Kyle LaRoche, a senior catcher from Brunswick, has high expectations for the team and this season.
“The expectation is to play hard, play with a lot of energy and let the cards fall where they may,” said LaRoche. “If we do the little things right and play the game the right way, this team has the opportunity to do something that hasn’t been done here in a long time.”
Koby Ayala, a senior infielder from Lilburn, is most ready to hit the field with a group of veterans who have come together under one common goal since last fall.
“I’m excited to see this team finally compete against others,” said Ayala. “We have a ton of good pieces and I’m just looking forward to seeing how they all fit together.”
AU Coach Chris Howell, says his team is a “fun group to be around that has worked really hard” and is eager to see what his guys can do this season.
“I’m excited for this group to go out and compete,” said Howell. “We have a solid mixture of experience and talented young guys. We have to do the little things well and take it one pitch at a time.”
Wilkie expressed his enthusiasm to starting the season this weekend at the University of West Georgia.
“I am excited to be out there with the guys this season,” said Wilkie. “We have been preparing for this moment since August and now that the time is finally here, it’s time to ball out.”
Saturday will bring a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m., with the nightcap to follow. Sunday’s (Feb. 5) third game of the series will start at 1 p.m. West Georgia went 24-20 last season.
The Jaguars open their home campaign on Wednesday, Feb. 7, against Erskine.
Contact Shelbie Summerlin at ssummerlin@augusta.edu.
Kyle LaRoche returns for his senior season behind the plate for the Jaguars. At the top of the page, redshirt freshman Koby Alaya has been impressive in the preseason. (photos by Shelbie Summerlin)
Koby Ayala had three hits in Augusta University’s last preseason exhibition against Erskine. He hopes to maintain a hot bat as the Jaguars open the new season at West Georgia. (photo by Shelbie Summerlin)
