University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Josh Roberge
February 15, 2024 | Baseball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Josh Roberge arrived at Georgia with a lot to show for his time in college, and he's not done yet.
The right-handed pitcher started his career at Wheaton College, in Norton, Mass., where he went 7-2 over three seasons, with 57 strikeouts in 65 innings of work at the NCAA Division III program. He also earned a degree in Psychology.
Roberge, from Chelmsford, Mass., then went to Southern New Hampshire, a Division II school in Hooksett, N.H., where over two seasons pitching for the Penmen he went a combined 17-9, with 199 strikeouts in 171.1 innings. While there, he also earned a master's degree in Developmental Psychology.
With one year of eligibility left due to the pandemic, Roberge wanted to see what else was out there in the transfer portal. He reached out to coaches far and wide, and now he's found a home with the Bulldogs and new coach Wes Johnson. Georgia opens its season Friday (3 p.m.) against UNC Asheville.
During a Quick Chat this week, Roberge talked about winding up at Georgia, his favorite baseball movie, his most memorable strikeout, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: What is your favorite baseball movie? There's a lot to choose from.
Roberge: I know, there's a bunch. My favorite baseball movie is probably "Moneyball," just because I liked the rebuilding process that the Oakland Athletics transitioned to. I also liked how it shows you that although some players might not get the recognition they deserve, or might not have the opportunities that they might think that they've earned, the statistics show that if you get a bunch of guys together, they can mesh something into something bigger.
Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on this team?
Roberge: Probably (freshman pitcher) Ryan Gold. He's an interesting character. He's definitely one of the guys that can brighten up a day and make anybody really laugh just by the way he goes about his day and his mannerisms, the way he walks and the way he talks. He's really funny.
Frierson: Was baseball always your main sport or did you play of bunch of different things when you were younger?
Roberge: Growing up in New England, everyone plays hockey growing up. I played hockey a bunch, and then I was throwing a ball and swinging a bat when I was two years old. I played tee ball, I played one year of coach-pitch. Most kids play two years of coach-pitch but I ended up moving up pretty quick.
After that, I was in Majors for three years, and then I played travel ball, and then I played high school ball. And then I played in college for a bunch of years.
Frierson: Was there ever a point when hockey was going to be your main sport?
Roberge: I don't know if I could say that. I definitely loved playing hockey. I loved skating, playing with that group of guys — the team chemistry on a hockey team is unlike anything you can experience. You just hang out with the guys in the locker room, you get the wake-ups at 5 a.m. in high school and you're going to morning practices. Then you have team dinners, spaghetti dinners, hang out at somebody's house, play some floor hockey, mess around — it's definitely fun.
I don't think there was ever a point where I thought I would play hockey professionally. I kind of knew that playing hockey at the college level was something that was super difficult. It's such a high-level game, and there's only like 20 guys that make a team. And I wasn't the best skater growing up, so I knew hockey wasn't for me long term.
Frierson: What is something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Roberge: Probably my mom's meatballs. Those are unreal. That's what I miss a lot; I miss being home, coming home after a weekend series and having dinner on a Monday night, just hanging out with the family and seeing everybody, hanging out with my dog. But her meatballs are great. They're top notch.
Frierson: Did you ever imagine that your time in college would be the journey that it has been, or that it would lead you to Athens, Ga.?
Roberge: I think, in terms of my journey, I always knew that I was going to be successful. I didn't know what levels of baseball that I would end up reaching, but my goal on every team is to reach (an NCAA tournament). I've gone to three (including the D-III College World series twice), and wherever I've gone, I've just tried to win.
Coming here, I'm trying to win at the highest level, which is definitely different. The talent increases, the analytic stuff gets super intense, and I'm grateful to be here. I truly am. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that most people aren't going to receive, but I think I've earned it. I've done enough in my career to be in this position, and it just comes down to performing on the field and winning baseball games and being a good teammate. It's just trying to do the right things day in and day out.
If you asked me four or five years ago where I'd be, I probably couldn't have told you. I probably would have been like, I'll keep playing baseball, and I want to coach, so maybe I'll coach. I knew I was going to be around the game, but I did not think I was going to be in the SEC. This is awesome.
Frierson: Is there one strikeout from your entire baseball career that stands out above the rest?
Roberge: When I think of strikeouts, I kind of think about me striking out [laughs] when I was a hitter. My cousin, we ended up playing against each other on senior night (in high school), and he struck me out on a curve ball that I swung through. That's what I think about when I think of a strikeout.
All the other strikeouts that I've had, they've just been because of an executed pitch. But in terms of the guy that's probably the best guy that I've struck out, it's probably Charlie (Georgia All-American Charlie Condon). He's had my number recently, but I struck him out a couple of times in the fall. If you can strike out him, you can get anybody out in the country.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
