ATLANTA - Georgia State begins Sun Belt Conference play this weekend with a three-game road series at Marshall. The series marks the start of conference action for the Panthers as they travel to Huntington for the first league games of the 2026 season.

Georgia State enters the weekend looking to build momentum as conference play begins, while Marshall comes into the series with an 8-8 overall record and a 5-1 mark at home.

Friday – 6 p.m.
Georgia State: #32 RHP Brian Crooms
Marshall: #8 LHP Bryce Blevins

The Panthers will open the series with Brian Crooms on the mound. Crooms enters the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record and a 3.66 ERA with 12 strikeouts. 

Marshall will counter with left-hander Bryce Blevins, who enters the weekend with a 3-1 record and a 2.28 ERA. Blevins has struck out 30 batters in 27.2 innings and has limited opponents to a .250 batting average.

Saturday – 4 p.m.

Georgia State: #7 LHP Jake Hembree
Marshall: #13 RHP Drew Harlow

Jake Hembree is scheduled to start the second game of the series for Georgia State. The left-hander has been one of the Panthers' most effective arms early in the season, leading the team with 21 strikeouts and holding a 3.15 ERA over 20.0 innings pitched. 

Marshall will start Drew Harlow, who has made four starts this season. Harlow has recorded 27 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.

Sunday – 1 p.m.

Georgia State: TBA
Marshall: #31 RHP Kenyon Collins

Georgia State's starter for the series finale will be determined later in the week. Marshall is expected to start Kenyon Collins, who enters the game with a 2.78 ERA and 32 strikeouts across 22.2 innings while holding opponents to a .202 batting average.

Scouting Marshall

Marshall enters the weekend hitting .307 as a team with 19 home runs and 125 runs scored through 16 games. Evan Bottone leads the Herd with a .418 batting average and five home runs, while Tyler Kamerer is hitting .359 with nine doubles.

Cooper Hinson has driven in 18 runs, and AJ Havrilla has drawn 19 walks while posting a .486 on-base percentage. The Herd lineup has produced consistent extra-base power with 38 doubles and 19 home runs.

On the mound, Marshall carries a 6.58 team ERA with 158 strikeouts in 131.1 innings.

Series Outlook

Opening conference play on the road presents an early test for Georgia State.  With both teams featuring productive offenses and strikeout-heavy pitching staffs, the series could feature competitive matchups as Sun Belt play begins.