ATLANTA – Head coach Brad Stromdahl and the Georgia State baseball team opens the 2026 season this weekend, hosting New Orleans at the GSU Baseball Complex for a three-game series beginning Friday at 4 p.m.

The series continues Saturday at 3 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Panthers begin the year looking to build on last season's 26–30 record and continue a recent trend of strong starts. Georgia State has won four straight season openers, with the last Opening Day loss coming in 2021.

Opening Weekend Storylines

Georgia State has posted strong results early in recent seasons under head coach Brad Stromdahl. The Panthers went 9–2 over their first 11 games in 2025 and finished 15–11 in nonconference play. Opening at home for year another season provides an early opportunity to set the tone for the season at the GSU Baseball Complex, where the Panthers went 18–16 last year.

New Orleans enters the series after posting a 28–26 overall record in 2025 and a 12–17 mark in Southland Conference play. The Privateers took two of three games from Georgia State when the teams met to open the 2024 season, giving the Panthers an early test to begin the year.

This weekend marks the third all-time series between the programs. Georgia State won three of four games in the first meeting in 2013, while New Orleans claimed the most recent series.

Offensive Production Returns

Georgia State brings back several key contributors from a lineup that ranked among the most productive in recent program history. The Panthers finished 2025 with 89 home runs, 114 doubles, and 344 walks, ranking among the national leaders in each category.

Carter Bailey returns after hitting .275 with eight home runs and 43 RBI, while Wills Maginnis started all 56 games and batted .277 with six home runs and 37 RBI. Jae Williams also returns after playing in 55 games and driving in 26 runs. Cooper Milford and Nick Garagozzo add experience after seeing regular action in the lineup last season.

Despite the returning production, the Panthers will need to replace several key pieces from last year's team. Kaleb Freeman led the team in batting average, runs, hits, and walks, while Michael Maginnis led the team in RBI. Colin Hynek also departed after leading the team in home runs.

New Faces in the Lineup

Georgia State's roster includes 20 returners, 13 transfers, and nine freshmen entering the season. Several transfers are expected to make an immediate impact, including infielder Sam Silas and outfielder Adam Haber, both of whom bring experience from previous programs. The mix of returning players and new additions will shape the early part of the season as the lineup settles in.

Pitching Outlook

The Panthers return several arms with starting and relief experience from 2025. Right-hander Cole Roberts is back after leading the team's starting pitchers in wins and ERA, finishing 6–4 with a 4.69 ERA over 71 innings.

Tysen Benford returns after making 20 appearances and recording four saves, while Jake Hembree made 16 appearances with 10 starts and struck out 59 batters. Brian Crooms also provided key innings last season, going 3–1 with a 4.14 ERA in 17 appearances. Jacob Crews returns to the bullpen after leading the team with six saves.

The staff is bolstered by several transfers and newcomers who add depth as the Panthers begin the season.

Looking Ahead

Opening weekend provides an early look at a Georgia State team that returns experience in key spots while integrating a number of new players. With a history of fast starts and a strong offensive foundation, the Panthers will look to begin the 2026 campaign with a series win as they host New Orleans before traveling to Jacksonville State and Mercer for two mid-week games.