Arkansas - April 4 - 6
Getting back on the road, the Missouri Tigers travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to face a strong Razorbacks team coming off a 44-16 season (20-10 SEC). Arkansas fell in the second round of the SEC tournament but still hosted a regional.
Entering head coach Dave Van Horn’s 23rd season, the Razorbacks aim to return to the NCAA Tournament and make a deeper run in Hoover.
Arkansas will look much different in 2025 than it did last season. The Razorbacks suffered significant losses to the MLB Draft and graduation, including all three players who hit over .300 in 2024.
Leading the offense in 2025 will be players such as Wehiwa Aloy, who played in all 60 games last season and recorded 23 extra-base hits; Kendall Diggs, who started 54 games; and Ross Lovich, a transfer who spent his first three years at Missouri. With those key departures, these players and others will be expected to step up and lead the team.
To help fill the gaps, the Razorbacks brought in a large freshman class and added several transfers. Among them are Kuhio Aloy (BYU), Cam Kozeal (Vanderbilt) and Rocco Peppi (Fresno State), who could play key roles in reshaping the roster. Several freshmen may also see playing time and make an impact for Arkansas.
Arkansas' pitching staff underwent a complete overhaul this offseason, looking much different from recent years. The Razorbacks lost all three of their starting pitchers to the MLB Draft, along with several key bullpen arms.
Two potential candidates to step into starting roles are sophomore Colin Fisher, who made seven starts in 2024 and posted a 2.67 ERA, and junior Ben Bybee, who also started seven games but recorded a 5.83 ERA.
The Razorbacks' top returning pitchers are both bullpen arms. Sophomore Gabe Gaeckle led the bullpen with a 2.32 ERA as a freshman, while redshirt senior Will McEntire led the team with 30 appearances, including one start.
Filling out the staff will be a mix of transfers and freshmen. Newcomers such as Zach Root (East Carolina), along with freshmen Carson Wiggins and Lance Davis, could see innings as Arkansas looks to rebuild its rotation and bullpen.
Guys to look for:
- Gabe Fraser
- Jackson Farrell
- Steele Eaves