Opening weekend for Georgia baseball is getting a slight shake-up, but the anticipation is still sky-high in Athens.
Due to a strong chance of bad weather on Sunday, the Bulldogs are adjusting their series schedule against Wright State. Instead of the usual three-day format, Georgia will now play a doubleheader on Saturday.
First pitch for Game 1 is set for 1 p.m., and both games will go the full nine innings. The series will still open on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
For the Bulldogs, this isn’t just about dodging raindrops-it’s about setting the tone for a season with big-time aspirations.
“You still get the butterflies for sure,” said shortstop Kolby Branch. “You're excited, you're pumped, you're ready to go.”
That energy will be on full display as Georgia rolls out three new arms to headline the weekend rotation, each with something to prove and plenty of upside.
Stanford transfer Joey Volchko gets the nod for Friday’s opener. He brings a polished skill set and a high ceiling, and the Bulldogs are hoping he can anchor the rotation early.
Saturday’s doubleheader will feature Seattle transfer Kenny Ishikawa in the first game, followed by Dylan Vigue-who comes in from Michigan-for the series finale. All three are new to the program, but this weekend offers a chance to make an immediate impact.
On the other side, Wright State isn’t just a tune-up opponent. The Raiders turned heads last postseason by knocking out top-seeded Vanderbilt, and they’re bringing back a battle-tested roster.
They'll counter with junior right-hander Cam Allen on Friday, followed by junior lefty Griffen Paige in the first game Saturday. Their Sunday starter-now Saturday's second-game pitcher-has yet to be announced.
Georgia enters the 2026 campaign with momentum, coming off a 43-17 season and an 18-12 mark in SEC play. The Bulldogs are eyeing a third straight NCAA Tournament berth, but the real prize is a return to Omaha-a place they haven’t been since 2008.
With a retooled rotation, a hungry lineup, and postseason goals already in sight, Opening Weekend might look a little different on the calendar, but the stakes remain the same. The road to the College World Series starts now-and Georgia’s ready to hit the ground running.