Playing baseball collegiately has always been Lawson Wooten’s dream.
Now, that dream will soon become reality, as the Gatewood pitcher and infielder recently announced he will play baseball at Augusta University next spring.
“It’s honestly a dream come true, and I am excited,” Wooten said. “Ever since I was little, I dreamed about going to college and playing baseball. It’s truly amazing that I am going to do that.”
Augusta University began recruiting Wooten last fall, and coaches Chris Howell and John Friday kept tabs on him through his senior year. They officially offered him a few weeks ago, and Wooten said he felt was beyond blessed.
The Augusta University baseball staff initially planned to have Wooten come and throw for them. However, after Wooten sent his stats from his senior and travel ball seasons, the Jaguars extended him the offer.
“They texted and told me I didn’t need to throw the bullpen session for them,” Wooten said. “They wanted me.”
Before committing, however, Wooten said he and his family traveled the short distance to Augusta, visited the campus, and met with the coaches.
After the trip, with all his questions answered, Wooten said he knew he wanted to become a Jaguar.
Wooten has been essential to Gatewood baseball’s success throughout the past two seasons. He helped the Gators return to prominence on the diamond by winning consecutive GIAA Class AA titles in 2023 and 2024.
Wooten closed out both state championship series on the mound. He recorded the final outs against Southwest Georgia Academy and Edmund Burke Academy, helping his team seal the deal to clinch each title.
“It’s just like last year. The coaches trusted me with the last out, so they put me in,” Wooten said of Gatewood’s recent championship run. “If the coaches trust me, I’ll do whatever for them. They have my back, and I have theirs.”
Wooten, who transferred to Gatewood from Bethlehem Christian Academy, felt he left a positive mark on the program. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound pitcher said he enjoyed playing with his teammates and Gators’ head coach Brandon Moss.
“They took in an outsider. They brought me in and treated me like I was one of them. It was fantastic,” Wooten said of his time at Gatewood. “It was awesome going back-to-back as state champs and region champs. It’s been amazing. I felt like I left a significant mark on Gatewood, and it left a mark on me as well.”
Following game three of the championship series against Edmund Burke in May, Moss spoke highly of Wooten. The Gatewood coach described Wooten as having “a bulldog mentality.”
Moss knows what a force Wooten can be on the mound.
“He came to us as a junior, and the moment I met him and watched him throw in the bullpen, I knew he was the guy who was going to be on the mound when we win a state championship,” Moss explained. “He’s got that bulldog mentality, and he’s not afraid of anybody. He comes right after you and is an imposing figure. I knew he was one of those guys who would turn your entire team and the dynamic of it around. Last season, he was a huge piece, and this year, he was a huge piece. He’s one of those guys who can positively affect your whole team. Lawson has been really great for us.”
Wooten will enroll at Augusta University next month. He said he’s ready to work on the diamond and make an impact.
“I am beyond excited and blessed about this opportunity,” Wooten said. “Again, this is really a dream come true.”