The No. 2-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team is opening the Tommy Goodale era as the Grizzlies' head coach by welcoming Bryan College (Tennessee) for a three-game series, beginning Thursday, January 29, at the Grizzly Baseball Complex, starting at 5 p.m.

The two teams also are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Friday, January 31, beginning at 1 p.m.

Goodale, named on January 20, is the third head coach in the program's 14-year history. He brings a wealth of coaching experience to the GGC dugout after stints at NCAA Division I and junior college ranks and has returned to Lawrenceville after being an assistant coach during the Grizzlies' successful 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The season-opening series was altered after previously scheduled games against Midway University (Kentucky) and Rust College (Mississippi) were canceled by hazardous travel precautions caused by recent inclement winter weather conditions.

GGC is coming off a semifinal appearance at the 2025 Avista NAIA World Series and has made seven consecutive trips to the World Series site in Lewiston, Idaho. The 2026 squad returns six players from last season, led by senior catcher Grant Pohlman, who batted .328 and drove in 20 runs during 17 starts.

Senior relief pitcher Shane Anderson posted a 5-1 record across 18 appearances a year ago. The right hander struck out 42 batters in 27 innings.

Bryan, 30-20 last spring, also is welcoming a new coach with Jordan Day leading the Lions into the new season. Caleb Ramsey is the team's top returning hitter, connecting on nine home runs, driving in 32 runs and having a .358 batting average. Pitcher Tanner Everett had five saves across 18 appearances in 2025.