Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

Kane Keith, who earlier this year became the interim head coach of the Georgia College baseball team, is making a move.

Keith, a Callaway High graduate, is leaving Georgia College in Milledgeville to become an assistant coach on the University of North Georgia baseball team.

Keith was a two-year member of the baseball team at Georgia College after transferring from Gordon College, and for the past three seasons he has been on the coaching staff, working mostly with the pitchers.

Following the shortened 2020 season, Jason Eller stepped down as head coach, and Keith was given the job on an interim basis.

In a statement on Tuesday, Keith said “my time at Georgia College has been very special. I can’t thank (athletics director) Wendell Staton enough for the opportunity he afforded me here at GC. This is a special place with special people. The experience that I have had as a student-athlete and coach here has given me memories and relationships that will last a lifetime. I have had the opportunity to be surrounded by many high-character individuals and am extremely grateful for the impact they have had on me.

The family environment exemplified here is something I will carry with me throughout my future endeavors. Please know that I wish GC baseball nothing but the best of luck moving forward.”

Keith was a standout player at Callaway High, and he completed his prep career with a phenomenal senior season both on the pitcher’s mound where he was the team ace, and at the plate where he hit better than .400.

Following his time at Callaway, Keith played at Gordon College for two seasons before transferring to Georgia College in 2016.

After appearing in seven games with three starts in 2016 with no wins or losses, Keith was one of the Bobcats’ best pitchers in 2017 when he appeared in 14 games with nine starts while posting a 5-0 record.

That 2017 season was especially memorable for Keith because he got to play alongside his younger brother, Perry Keith, who transferred to Georgia College from Gordon College.

Georgia College won the Peach Belt Conference tournament that season, and the Keith brothers both helped make it happen.

In the semifinals of the conference tournament, Perry Keith threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief as Georgia College got past North Georgia 6-5.

In the championship game, Kane Keith started and pitched seven innings and was the winning pitcher in a 6-5 victory over UNC-Pembroke.

After graduation, Keith remained at Georgia College as a coach, and the team was 13-2 when the 2020 season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wendell Staton, Georgia College’s athletics director, expressed his appreciation for what Keith meant to the baseball program.

“I am grateful for Kane Keith and his outstanding leadership during this interim timeframe,” Staton said. “Kane has made such a positive impact on our student-athletes, our staff, and on Georgia College. He cares so much about the student-athletes and impacting their lives in a positive manner, and he lives this each day with his actions. These aren’t just words for Kane, it is his life’s calling and he excels in helping others grow. Kane is part of the Georgia College DNA and his imprint is all over this program as he developed such meaningful and authentic relationships that will continue to carry our program moving forward as we provide an outstanding student-athlete experience. Success awaits Kane at every turn and we wish him nothing but the best as he continues his growth.”