Georgia College & State University opened the 2026 baseball season with a doubleheader loss to top-ranked Tampa on Jan. 31 at John Kurtz Field.
The early setback gave the Bobcats an immediate test as they try to build momentum and contend again in the Peach Belt Conference this spring.
The Spartans won the opener 15-1 before holding off the Bobcats 3-1 in the nightcap.
Despite the rough start, the Bobcats enter 2026 looking to build off a successful 2025 campaign. Georgia College finished last season 30-24 overall and 19-8 in Peach Belt Conference play, one of the best conference records in program history. The Bobcats were especially strong in Milledgeville, going 18-8 at John Kurtz Field and using home-field advantage as a key part of their success.
Head coach Jeff Pelkey said his team showed improvement as the day went on, even after struggling early in the opener.
“The first 10 innings of today were rough,” Pelkey said. “But they bounced back unbelievably in the last eight innings today. I’m very pleased with the bounce back while dealing with all the adversity.”
Tampa jumped out quickly in the first game, taking a 2-0 lead in the opening inning. The Spartans continued to add runs as they crossed home plate 15 times.
Georgia College scored its lone run on a sacrifice fly from Cole Huddleston that brought home Ty Petrovich.
Rand Bestermann led the Bobcats offensively with two hits, including one for extra bases. Petrovich, Carson Vick, Luke Boone and Evan Cowan each recorded a hit in the opener, but Georgia College was unable to string together offense against Tampa’s pitching staff.
In the second game, Tampa again struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Georgia College kept the Spartans scoreless the rest of the way and showed stronger pitching and defense, but the Bobcats could not erase the deficit. Georgia College scored its only run on a groundout by Keagan Baxter that drove in Petrovich.
The Bobcats brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but could not complete the comeback, stranding runners in a final chance to extend the game.
John Luke Glanton (1-0) earned the win against his former team, pitching four shutout innings with six strikeouts.
GC’s Evan Cowan went 2-for-4 with an extra-base hit, while Carson Vick also added an extra-base hit for the Bobcats.
With baseball back at John Kurtz Field, Georgia College student Jake Mitchem said home games bring consistent energy and support for the team.
“It’s always a fun time out here at the ball field,” Mitchem said. “These guys play really hard and it’s fun to watch.”
Georgia College returns to John Kurtz Field on Friday, Feb. 13 against North Georgia at 5 p.m.