JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — College baseball returns to John Sessions Stadium this weekend as Jacksonville opens the 2026 season with a four-game series against Rhode Island University.
Opening night is set for Friday at 6:00 PM, followed by a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM. The series concludes Sunday with a 1:00 PM first pitch and marks the 12th time in a row the Dolphins will host on opening day.
The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs since 2018, when Jacksonville swept Rhode Island in a three-game series. The Dolphins hold a 4-0 advantage in the all-time series, dating back to the first meeting in 1993.
Now entering his ninth season at the helm, head coach
Chris Hayes brings veteran leadership and stability as the Dolphins look to build on last year's success and compete near the top of the ASUN standings again in 2026.
Preseason Recognition
Jacksonville was selected to finish third in the ASUN's Graphite Division in the 2026 Preseason Coaches Poll, trailing only Stetson and FGCU.
2026 ASUN Preseason Graphite Division Coaches Poll
1. Stetson (4) – 34
2. FGCU (2) – 30
3. Jacksonville – 21
4. North Florida – 19
5. West Georgia – 12
6. Queens – 10
Two Dolphins earned preseason honors from ASUN coaches:
Jonah Shields (OF)
After transitioning from second base to the outfield, Shields returns as one of the league's most dynamic hitters. In 2025, he ranked sixth in the ASUN with a .359 batting average and 75 hits across 54 games. He added 36 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, and posted a .442 on-base percentage. Shields recorded 22 multi-hit performances, eight three-RBI games, and compiled a team-best 16-game hitting streak.
Conner Spelman (DH)
Spelman started 20 games last season and finished with a .302 batting average and an .860 OPS, the fourth-best mark on the team. His .400 on-base percentage also ranked fourth among Dolphins hitters.
Opponent Snapshot
Rhode Island enters the weekend representing the Atlantic 10 Conference and opens the 2026 season in Jacksonville as the reigning Atlantic 10 champion. The Rams have faced Atlantic Sun opponents sparingly in program history, posting a 6-12 record against current ASUN schools.
New Faces
Jacksonville welcomes 18 newcomers to the 2026 roster, including six freshmen and 12 transfers.
Freshmen:
Logan Baratta (INF)
Drew Cobb (OF)
JJ Gardner (RHP/INF)
Griffin Pomper (C)
Kyle Hopper (RHP)
Ayden Phillips (INF/RHP)
Transfers:
Roger Vergara (INF/OF) – East Carolina
Gavin Dicks (LHP) – Polk State
Sam Grunberg (INF) – Lindenwood
Ben Baker-Livingston (RHP) – New Mexico
Austin Williamson (RHP) – Jax State
Archer Ogbourne (OF) – Des Moines Area CC
Brendan Holland (LHP) – UMass Lowell
Derek Bermudez (INF/OF) – FIU
Brodie Scott (RHP) – Northeastern State
Payton Waters (RHP) – UCF
Manuel Souffrain (INF) – Bethune-Cookman
Dominic Pieto (RHP) – Tulane
The ACE
Left-hander
Alex Walsh is expected to anchor the Friday night role this season. In 2025, Walsh logged 67.2 innings with a sub-4.00 ERA, limited opponents to a .229 batting average, and recorded 51 strikeouts. His consistency at the top of the rotation provides stability for a pitching staff with several new additions.
2026 Schedule Outlook
The Dolphins open the season with 10 consecutive home games and will play 14 of their first 18 contests in Jacksonville.
Non-conference series include match ups with Rhode Island, LIU, at UAB, and UNC Wilmington. Jacksonville will face Florida State three times in midweek action, including one home game. The Dolphins will also make two trips to Gainesville to face the Gators, play a home-and-home series with UCF and USF, and renew the rivalry with Bethune-Cookman.
In conference play, Jacksonville will face each Graphite Division opponent twice, once at home and once on the road. The other Graphite teams include FGCU, Stetson, West Georgia, Queens, and North Florida.
