Jaguar baseball team to open season with home set against West Georgia
By Shelbie Summerlin | Sports writer
The Augusta University baseball team opens its season this weekend with a three-game series against West Georgia.
The first pitch of the season is Friday, Feb. 2, at 4 p.m. at the Jaguar Baseball Field.
After an impressive comeback season last year that saw AU post its first winning record since 2016, the Jaguars are looking forward to keeping that momentum going into the 2024 season.
Last year, Augusta went 26-24. The Jaguars hope to move further into the win column this year and move up in conference play. With many returners back to compete this season, Augusta is hoping to meet those goals.
Fifth-year senior pitcher Britt Kelly says all of January was spent working every day on getting comfortable with one another and getting better in each and every aspect of the game, so it all comes together when it's game time.
“To compete to the best of our abilities, we have to stick together as a team and make sure everyone is filling their role and consistently working hard so that their teammate next to them knows they can count on them no matter the situation,” said Kelly.
Sixth-year senior catcher Kyle LaRoche says he is extremely looking forward to this season with the group of guys the team has.
“We have high aspirations as a team this year, and it’s exciting to get started on this journey,” said LaRoche.
LaRoche believes the team this season consists of a bunch of guys who have a lot to bring to the table and that if everyone pushes forward no matter what comes their way this year, they can overcome anything.
“As a team, we just need to focus on reaching our potential every day,” said LaRoche. “If we put our best foot forward at every practice and game, we will achieve whatever we want to.”
After Friday’s opening, AU and West Georgia will play at doubleheader on Saturday, February 3. The first game will start at 1 p.m. and the second will follow at 4 p.m.
Contact Shelbie Summerlin at ssummerlin@augusta.edu.
AU catcher Kyle LaRoche had five homers and 28 RBIs for the Jaguars in 2023, when they posted a 26-24 record and made the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. At the top of the page, pitcher Britt Kelly hopes the Jags can improve on their 2023 record. (photos by Shelbie Summerlin)
