written by Augusta University student Jaylan Hayes
Born and raised in the state of Georgia is senior baseball player Parker Ingram. Ingram transferred to Augusta University his sophomore year from the University of North Georgia. Someone that helped set the transfer into motion was a good friend from high school.
"He was going to Augusta University, he told me he loved the coaching staff and loved the situation here. I talked to the head coach on the phone, and he said all the right things for me to come here, so it just seemed like the right choice," Ingram said.
Not all change can be easy and starting a new school with a new team as a sophomore came with its own set of challenges.
"It was a little hard. There was a good deal of adversity that came with it. Change is difficult with anything. But I quickly fell in love with this area, fell for the city. I've enjoyed it ever since," he said
Ingram is grateful that his mom always emphasized that academics came first, and baseball came second. It led him to receive both the Zelle Miller and HOPE scholarship.
"My mom was holding me to super big standards for school, so I'm very thankful for that at this point of my life," he said.
When in season from January to May Ingram's focus is on school and baseball. During the fall is when he really has the time to visit friends, go hunting, bond with his teammates and catching naps when he can.
When it comes to his team Ingram really enjoys being one of the upperclassmen that takes the younger players under his wing.
"Just being able to have experience at the college level, not saying that I'm the best or perfect or anything like that, but I like to tell guys what I've been through and what adversity I've seen on the baseball field," he said. "Both hitting and fielding and try to help them any way I can and prepare them for situations that will arise for them in the future."
He's been playing the game since he was six years old and while he did other sports before baseball it became the sport he loved. Participating in one sport for this long there are bound to be some embarrassing moments. Ingram's seem to all come from the same issue.
"Last year I was playing outfield, and my shoelace was too long, and it got caught in my spike and I tripped and fell as I was running to the ball. Another time I hit a home run, and I was jogging around the bases and tripped over second base. So sometimes it's not my shoes that get in the way, it's just my feet," he said.
Over the summer Ingram got to be part of the Macon Bacon baseball team in the Coastal Plains League. This was a dream come true for him and he's thankful for it.
"That was a super cool opportunity for me. Growing up in Gray, Ga., 15 minutes from Macon as a kid I would go to the games. Being able to get out there, put on that jersey and the hat, it was, it was just a full circle kind of deal for me," said Ingram.
He'll never forget when he hit a home run while playing for them. A little boy caught the ball and tracked Ingram down after the game for his autograph. It was a surreal moment for him knowing there's people out there looking up to him.
This will be Ingram's last season of baseball for AU and it's a bittersweet realization for him. He plans to not take any of the days left for granted.
"I think of it as the last opportunity to show what I can do and give back to the game and really just be as successful as I can. Really just play loose. Not having any worries on my back and just trying and enjoying the season as much I can with the guys and the coaches. Whatever success comes along the way is just even better," Ingram said.
He's on track to graduate in May of 2025 with a kinesiology degree. While he would love to play professionally with the Atlanta Braves, he can't be sure that will happen. He plans to enter the workforce hopefully in medical device sales.
There will be a meet and greet to get to know the members of the AU baseball team Wednesday Oct. 23, find more information about it here.
