Senior shortstop Nolan Turner leads Augusta into new season
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief
Picked eighth in the Peach Belt Conference preseason poll, Augusta baseball enters the 2026 season with something to prove. Few embody that mindset more than senior shortstop Nolan Turner, a Gainesville, Georgia native, who was named to the PBC Preseason All-Conference Team after a strong 2025 campaign.
For Turner, wearing Augusta across his chest is about more than stats or recognition.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to play college baseball,” Turner said. “Now I get to represent the coaches and everyone who supports this program. That means a lot to me.”
Turner started all 52 games last season, hitting .294 with a .477 slugging percentage and a .350 on-base percentage, while anchoring the infield at shortstop. But his growth hasn’t been limited to the field.
“I came in thinking I knew everything, and college baseball gave me a wake-up call fast,” Turner said. “Off the field, I had to change too. After being ineligible my freshman year, I started focusing on the right things, and that’s made a huge difference.”
That maturity has helped shape the culture of this year’s team.
“There’s not a single guy on this team who doesn’t work hard or put in extra work outside of practice,” Turner said.
Much of Turner’s impact happens when fans aren’t watching.
“People don’t see the extra hours outside of practice and games, or how much this really means to me,” he said.
As Augusta opens the season January 30 at home against St. Leo, Turner’s goals are clear.
“We want to win a conference championship,” Turner said. “Personally, I just want to work hard every day and lead this team to success.”
With experience, accountability, and quiet confidence, the Gainesville native has become the standard for an Augusta program ready to outperform expectations.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Nolan Turner (7) reaches third base during a game last season. At the top of the page, Turner takes a huge swing during the rivalry game against USC Aiken at SRP Park. (photos courtesy of AU Athletics)
