Baseball 2026 Season Opener Set For Friday in Myrtle Beach
Purple Knights embark on a 50-game regular-season slate, which includes 19 home contests at Seaside Park.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – With winter still gripping the Northeast, the University of Bridgeport's baseball team hopes to trade snow for sunshine this weekend as it travels to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to open the 2026 season. The Purple Knights embark on a 50-game regular-season slate, which includes 19 home contests at Seaside Park.
INSIDE THE OPENING TRIP
The Purple Knights will open their season with a road swing in South Carolina, playing 10 straight contests to begin the year. Bridgeport is set to compete in four games from Feb. 20-22 before returning south for six more matchups from Feb. 27 through March 4.
Eight of those 10 games will take place at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, while the trip will also feature road contests at USC Beaufort on March 3 and UNC Pembroke on March 4.
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Following their southern swing, the Purple Knights will square off with Southern Connecticut State in a four-game, home-and-home series from March 6-8. UB will also step outside of conference play with matchups at Molloy on April 1 and at Division I New Haven on April 15.
Conference play will make up the bulk of the schedule, as Bridgeport is set for 34 CACC games overall, with 17 of those contests taking place at home.
The Purple Knights' home conference doubleheaders are slated against Wilmington (March 14), Jefferson (March 21), Goldey-Beacom (March 28), Dominican (April 8), Post (April 22) and Chestnut Hill (April 26).
THE RETURNING PURPLE KNIGHTS
UB enters the new season with a wealth of experience, returning 30 players from last year's roster.
Bridgeport brings back its top three pitchers in innings pitched—Brendan Palmer, James Ackerman and Alex Bulger—providing stability and depth on the mound.
In the field, Liam O'Neal returns after starting 48 games at shortstop a season ago, anchoring the infield once again.
Anthony Matturro and Anthony Armenia also bolster the lineup, each coming off campaigns in which they made more than 30 starts.
THE NEWEST UB BALLPLAYERS
Bridgeport will also welcome 19 newcomers to the roster, including 13 freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, a senior and a graduate student. The incoming class features talent from across the region and beyond, with players hailing from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, California and Canada.
Among the additions is Raymond Morales, a transfer from Lesley University who earned NAC Conference Rookie of the Year honors during the 2025 campaign.
WHO LEADS THE WAY?
University of Bridgeport's Head Baseball Coach Joe Tonelli enters his 14th season leading the program in 2026. The Purple Knights' all-time winningest coach, Tonelli surpassed the 400-career-win milestone during the 2025 campaign.
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
Joe Tonelli – Head Coach, 14th Year
"We have a great group of guys who have worked hard and bought into our expectations. I am very excited to see what we can do. We have a great mix of experienced players and hungry young talent. I just can't wait to get started."
Jaden Echevarria – Graduate Student
"I couldn't be more excited for the season to finally begin. From day one, our guys have been locked in and focused on getting better every single day. Now it's time to put it all together and show what we can do!"
James Ackerman – Senior
"I am very excited to get the season started. Going into my final year, I feel like we have a great group of guys and we are going to surprise a lot of people this year!"
THE PRESEASON COACHES POLL
The Purple Knights were slotted 10th in the CACC's preseason coaches poll released in late January. UB was placed ahead of Georgian Court and Lincoln while Felician was picked as the conference favorite.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can keep up to date with all things Bridgeport Baseball courtesy of UBKnights.com or on Instagram at @ubridgeport_baseball.