CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — The Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Charleston RiverDogs will open their 2026 campaigns and renew their South Carolina rivalry when they meet Thursday at Joseph Riley Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 69 degrees. Both teams enter with 0-0 records.

The game marks the start of a three-game series, with contests also scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Charleston. It is the season opener for both clubs, with their last recorded results coming from the final weeks of the 2025 season.

The Pelicans concluded their previous season with a 2-1 loss at the Columbia Fireflies on Sept. 11, 2025. The RiverDogs ended their 2025 schedule with a 12-8 victory at the Hickory Crawdads on Sept. 7, 2025.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Thursday’s contest is projected to be a tight, low-scoring affair, with a predicted final score of 1-0 in favor of the visiting Pelicans.

Following this opening series, the Pelicans will embark on a six-game road trip against the Columbia Fireflies beginning Tuesday. Their first home series is set for April 14 against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.

The RiverDogs, after hosting Myrtle Beach, will hit the road for a six-game series against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers starting Tuesday. They will return home to host the Columbia Fireflies on April 14.

Joseph Riley Ballpark, the longtime home of the RiverDogs located along the Ashley River, is expected to host a crowd for the traditional Opening Night festivities as the Minor League Baseball season gets underway across the country.