Friday’s first official day of preseason baseball practice had junior Keegan McGovern ready to start living up to his own lofty expectations.

Although the junior has been a regular part of Georgia’s lineup the last two years – starting 100 of 105 games – the former Coffee County standout hasn’t been as consistent as he had hoped.

So, what’s he got in mind?

“Maybe just stay more fluid throughout the year,” McGovern said. “Last year I started hot and cooled down toward the end. Hopefully, I can keep going throughout the year.”

The potential is certainly there.

At 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, McGovern figures to hit somewhere in the middle of the Bulldog lineup, which he’s done his first two years, batting a combined .262 with nine home runs and 52 RBI.

He hopes to surpass those numbers in this year alone.

When suggested that a .300 average with 15 homers and between 50 and 60 RBI might be within reach, McGovern didn’t blink.

“That’s what I hope,” he said. “I’ve been putting the work in during the fall and Christmas break. We’ll see what happens.”

Second baseman LJ Talley doesn’t doubt McGovern for a second.

“Just to do what Keegan does,” said Talley, when asked his own expectations for his teammate. “Keegan knows what to do; I promise.”

The key is just staying on a consistent plane.

Last season, McGovern started quickly before slumping toward the latter half of the season, finishing with a .263 average with six homers and 35 RBI.

“I probably put too much pressure on myself, like OK, you have to get a hit here. But, this year I have a whole different mindset, where I’m trying to go up there relaxed and get ready to hit the ball,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”

Obviously, McGovern will have plenty of help, a lot of it new.

Georgia’s 35-man features 18 newcomers, with this year’s crop of freshmen ranked as high as third nationally.

“We have a lot of good baseball players and a lot more depth this year,” Bulldog skipper Scott Stricklin added. “Our freshmen act like they’ve been around for a while. They are talented, and when you watch our team, they blend in with our veterans.”

McGovern is obviously one.

“We have a bunch of young guys who can really, really swing it and play in the field,” he said. “It pushes all of us upperclassmen to try that much harder.”

Stricklin agrees.

Newcomers include shortstop Cam Shepherd and third baseman Aaron Schunk, along with outfielders Tucker Maxwell and junior college transfer Will Campbell, who appear primed to earn starting roles alongside McGovern in the Bulldog outfield.

“I only make two promises to our guys. No. 1, is they’re going to get an opportunity and we’re going to work really hard with them. If they’re the best player they’re going to play. We don’t check birth certificates when we put them in the lineup,” Stricklin said. “If they’re good enough to play, they’ll play. If you’re a senior and you’re the best guy, you’re going to play. If you’re a freshman and you’re the best guy, you’re going to play.”

McGovern certainly likes what he’s seen.

“Every day these freshmen are doing something that makes you go ‘wow,’” he said. “We’ve definitely got a lot of potential. Now we just have to do it on the field.”