CARROLLTON, Ga. - Coming off the longest road stretch of the season, West Georgia baseball returns home this weekend to host Jacksonville University in the first ASUN series of the 2026 campaign. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, and all home UWG baseball games are free to attend. 

After opening the 2026 season 9-1, the Dolphins (9-8, 0-0 ASUN) have fallen into a seven-game losing streak, while UWG (3-14, 0-0 ASUN) recently snapped its 12-game losing skid with wins over Wichita State this past weekend. 

As a team, the Wolves have averaged 4.7 runs per game while recording a .233 batting average.  

Leading the way for the Wolves with a sixth-best in ASUN batting average (.389) is senior outfielder Blake Bradford. Since receiving his first start of the year against No. 7 Auburn, the Sylvania, Ohio native has been a mainstay in the Wolves' lineup. In the last nine games, Bradford has tallied a hit in seven contests and recorded a pair of multi-hit performances. Not only does he lead the UWG starters in batting average, but he also posts a team-high .951 OPS.

Another Wolf who has been on a tear in the batter's box is third baseman Patrick McCullough. Currently riding an eight-game hitting streak, McCullough was just named ASUN Player of the Week following his outstanding series performance at Wichita State. Posting a .329 batting average, the senior leads the Wolves with 23 hits, four doubles and two triples. McCullough has also posted 10 RBIs and two homers on the season.

Recording a second-best in conference team batting average (.311) while ranking third in the ASUN in scoring average (7.2 RPG), Jacksonville has been one of the strongest scoring teams in the league. 

Six starting Dolphins currently post a batting average of .300 or better, with junior center fielder Jonah Shields leading the team and ranking third in the ASUN with a .408 average. Competing in 14 games, Shields has recorded six multi-hit performances.

Another Dolphin posting a .300 or better batting average is outfielder Cade Walter, who posts a .339 average. What is really remarkable about the redshirt freshman's season so far is that of his 19 hits, seven were homers, three were doubles and he has driven in 21 runs. This has resulted in Walter leading JU and the ASUN with a 1.283 OPS. 

Looking at both teams' pitching, the Wolves post a 9.91 team ERA while JU posts a 5.27 ERA.

Expected to open the series on the mound this weekend for UWG is sophomore righty Maverick Torres. Through seven appearances and three starts, Torres has posted a 7.83 ERA, 0-3 record and nine strikeouts. In his first start of the season, Torres struck out one batter and held the No. 7 Auburn Tigers scoreless in his two frames.

Making his fourth start of the season in game two will be senior righty Lex Kenny. Pitching in a team-high 23 frames, Kenny leads the UWG starters and ranks eighth in the ASUN with a 3.52 ERA while also recording nine strikeouts. Posting a 1-1 record, the Canton, Georgia native earned his first win as a Wolf in the Pack's 5-4 win over Wichita State. 

Expected to make his fourth start in the series finale is right-handed pitcher Luke Ridley. In 12.1 frames across three starts, the redshirt senior has posted a 1-0 record, nine strikeouts and a 5.84 ERA. His seven-strikeout performance in the win over Central Michigan still stands as the single game high for any UWG player this year.

The JU starters have yet to be announced, but will be added to the game notes when available.

Don't miss out on home the UWG baseball action. First pitch on Friday is set for and all of the home UWG baseball games are free to attend. If you can't make it, the live coverage links are tagged on the team's schedule.