JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Baseball is back at John Sessions Stadium to host the West Georgia Wolves this weekend. It marks the second meeting this season between the two squads, with the Wolves taking the first series.

Friday's matchup will be just the 10th all-time meeting between the programs. In only their second season facing off, Jacksonville took five of six games last year, including a series sweep at home in 2025. The Dolphins lead the all-time series, 6-3.

It's First Responders Weekend at John Sessions Stadium, with a full slate of promotions throughout the series. Friday night features postgame fireworks as part of Charter Day celebrations, along with a $50 Flex Friday giveaway for a lucky student and an AirPods raffle.

Saturday will include mini table giveaways throughout the game, with a golf bag giveaway set for the fifth inning. Sunday wraps up the weekend with additional mini table giveaways and a TV giveaway.

Series Schedule

Game 1 – Friday, April 17
Time: 6:00 PM | Live Stats | ESPN+

Game 2 – Saturday, April 18
Time: 7:00 PM | Live Stats | ESPN+

Game 3 – Sunday, April 19
Time: 12:00 PM | Live Stats | ESPN+ 

Scouting Report

The West Georgia Wolves (11-26, 8-7 ASUN) have had a season full of ups and downs. After winning their season opener against Central Michigan, the squad dropped 12 straight before rebounding with a series split at Wichita State in its final non-conference weekend.

In conference play, UWG has taken series against Jacksonville, Queens, and FGCU. The Wolves currently sit second in the ASUN's Graphite Division at the halfway point.

Patrick McCullough leads UWG with a .376 batting average and a .557 slugging percentage and is the only Wolf to start and appear in all 37 games this season.

Lex Kenny has been one of the top pitchers in the ASUN, boasting a 2.85 ERA with a team-high 40 strikeouts. Over his last seven starts, the senior right-hander has gone at least six innings each time, including a double-digit strikeout performance against FGCU on April 4.

The Wolves are also winless in midweek games this season (0-8), though the schedule includes matchups against top competition such as No. 4 Georgia Tech, No. 7 Auburn, Samford, and Georgia State. UWG carried a lead into the ninth inning at Auburn before falling on a walk-off.

Last Time

In the first meeting, the Dolphins were tested in all three games of a tightly contested series.

Jacksonville dropped the opener 8-7 despite a furious late rally, as Roger Vergara drove in all seven runs and brought the tying run into scoring position in the ninth before the comeback fell just short.

Game two followed a similar script, with JU falling 4-1 as West Georgia capitalized on a pair of key extra-base hits. Payton Waters delivered a strong start to keep the Dolphins within reach, but the offense couldn't break through in key moments, allowing the Wolves to clinch the series.

Jacksonville responded in the finale, rallying for a 10-5 extra-inning victory to avoid the sweep. The Dolphins answered after surrendering a late lead, then broke the game open with a five-run 10th inning, using timely hitting and strong bullpen work to leave Carrollton with momentum.

This Time Around

Since that series, Jacksonville has begun to find its rhythm, highlighted by ranked road wins over Florida and UCF, along with ASUN series victories at FGCU and at home against Stetson.

Roger Vergara has been a steady presence in the middle infield and at the plate, leading the team among qualified hitters with a .329 average while delivering go-ahead RBI knocks in both ranked upsets.

Derek Bermudez has caught fire again, driving in seven runs over his last four games, including key swings against FGCU and UCF. Sam Grunberg turned in one of the team's most impactful performances of the season in the win over UCF, finishing a triple shy of the cycle while delivering in multiple clutch moments late.

At the top of the order, Sammy Mummau has sparked the offense with a .387 average over his last nine games and carries a six-game hitting streak into the weekend.

On the mound, Jacksonville has been anchored by a strong mix of starters and late-inning arms. Alex Walsh has set the tone at the top of the rotation, leading the ASUN in wins while consistently working deep into games. Brendan Holland is coming off one of his best outings of the season, tossing seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in a series-clinching win over FGCU, a performance that earned him ASUN Pitcher of the Week honors.

Out of the bullpen, Dominic Pieto has locked down the back end with a team-high four saves, while freshman Ayden Phillips has been a reliable option in key moments, striking out 20 over 17 innings and earning a win with a strong finish against UCF.

With the Graphite Division race tightening, this weekend presents an opportunity for Jacksonville to gain ground and create separation from a West Georgia team it is chasing in the standings. After dropping the first series, the Dolphins will look to even the season set while continuing to build momentum at John Sessions Stadium.