CARROLLTON, Ga. – The University of West Georgia Baseball team begins their 2024 season in Augusta as the Wolves are set for a three-game series against the Augusta Jaguars, beginning on Friday at 4:00 p.m.

After putting together a 31-18 record in their 2023 campaign, UWG and head coach Jeff Smith secured a plethora of Division I and high level JUCO transfers in the offseason, leading to the Wolves being ranked 25th in the Perfect Game Division II Preseason Rankings.

"We are excited to get the season started and have the opportunity to play Augusta University," said coach Smith. "Augusta will be a very good team who returns a lot of their lineup from last year. We have a lot of new faces this year but return several players from last year's starting lineup as well. This should be a very competitive series between the two teams."

Amongst the 22 newcomers on West Georgia's roster, starting pitcher Brendan Parks is one that's expected to make an immediate impact. Parks, a transfer from Kennesaw State, is a big 6'4" 215-pound lefty who can get up to the mid-nineties on his fastball. After losing All-GSC performer in Peyton Berry this past offseason, Parks is set to be the Wolves' new number one and is slated to get the opening day start on Friday, while Will Dean and Seth Dudley are expected to starts games two and three on Saturday.

On the offensive side of things for UWG, Preseason All-GSC selection, Sam Ladner, leads West Georgia into their 2024 campaign. Ladner comes into the new season after a career-year in 2023 where he hit .340 with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs, leading to the shortstop being named First Team All-GSC and Second Team All-Region.

While Ladner might have the most dangerous bat in the Wolves' lineup, newcomers Luke Hatcher and Michael Rich make UWG's offense even more dynamic. Hatcher, a transfer from Georgia Southern, should find himself near the top of the order as the outfielder comes into the year after batting .266 and hitting five home runs, resulting in 22 RBIs, for GSU last season. As for Rich, he transfers in from West Alabama where he accumulated a batting average of .335 along with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs.

For Augusta, the Jaguars are one of the better offensive teams that West Georgia will face this season as the they come into the 2024 campaign after hitting .293 as a team. Leading Augusta's offensive charge is second baseman, Koby Ayala. Ayala was named to the PBC Preseason All-Conference team after hitting .355 with 34 RBIs last year. Along with Ayala, outfielder Harrison Aulds is another dangerous bat in the Jaguars' lineup as he comes into opening weekend after batting .325 last season which led to a Second Team All-Conference selection.

While Augusta finished as one of the best offensive teams in the Peach Belt Conference in 2023, their pitching was near the bottom as their staff put together a 6.51 ERA which could spark trouble with a loaded West Georgia offense coming to town.

"I really like the work ethic of this team and the toughness they show at times," coach Smith continued. "It is going to be a fun year to watch them play, compete and grow as a team."

First pitch on Friday is set for 4:00 p.m. while Saturday's double-header is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.