SMCC baseball player Austin Boarden signs with Jackson State

Southwest Mississippi Community College baseball player Austin Boarden has now signed a collegiate scholarship to Jackson State University.

“I’m excited,” Boarden said in a school statement. “Growing up I’ve been going to Jackson State games in every sport ever since I was a little kid. Getting to play there is exciting.”

Boarden also had interest from Grambling State University, but the Ridgeland native chose to stay close to home by signing with JSU.

“I know a lot of people there and I get to stay at home and stay with family,” he said. “As soon as I got it (offer) I knew that is where I wanted to go. I went to check out the other offer first to make sure it was the right decision.”

Boarden is anxious to be a big part of a Tiger baseball team that went 29-27 overall and 16-14 in conference play. He is also very excited to be a part of a growing athletics scene on the campus of JSU.

Coach Jack Edmonson was thrilled to see Boarden sign on with the Tigers program.

“Jackson State is a place that growing up, he wanted to play at,” Edmonson said. “I’m happy he was able to reach those goals through Southwest. He is an awesome kid who works hard and I think that he is going to do well there.”

Before playing at SMCC, Boarden was all All-District player at Ridgeland High School.