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Thu May 28, 2026

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Sports Razorbacks

Arkansas Preps in the Rain as Van Horn Confirms Gaeckle as Friday Starter

#Otis Kirk #Arkansas Razorbacks #Missouri State Bears #NCAA Baseball #Lawrence Regional

By Otis Kirk

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas practiced in Lawrence, Kan., on Thursday as it prepares for the regional game against Missouri State at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Arkansas (39-20) and Missouri State (34-19) have already met twice this season. Missouri State took a thrilling 15-14 10-inning decision in Springfield on March 31. The Razorbacks won the rematch 12-4 on April 21 at Baum-Walker Stadium. Dave Van Horn announced following Thursday's practice Friday's starting pitcher against Missouri State.

"We're going to go with (Gabe) Gaeckle," Van Horn said. "We have two guys who have kind of fought for that position. We just feel like anytime we can get (Hunter) Dietz a little more rest after he took that liner on the leg last week, another 24 hours might be a good thing."

In 19 appearances, 11 starts, this season Gaeckle has a record of 6-3 with an ERA of 3.99. Catcher Ryder Helfrick is very confident in Gaeckle.

"Yeah, I mean, he's just ultra-talented," Helfrick said. "Some things that have happened haven't been very fortunate for him but he's coming back out here, and every time I catch him it's like 'Ok, there it is. There it is.' Each time he's coming into who we all know he is."

Van Horn praised Gaeckle regardless of how he has used him both starting and out of the bullpen.

"I have confidence in Gabe all the time no matter what he's doing," Van Horn said. "Whether he's starting, relieving, closing, because he's done it all here. He's pitched in some big-time games and big-time leverage situations where we're talking advancing to Omaha, or Super Regional or whatever, he's been in the middle of it for us. His stuff is really good. I feel like he's healthy now. He's throwing the ball as good as he's thrown it. I know last weekend, that was really, really good."

Gaeckle will have his hand's full as the Hogs and Bears have had some great games through the years.

"I'm confident in our team, more than anything," Van Horn said. "I always tell the guys, it's really about what we do. If we play well, pitch well, we'll have a chance to win. I said it last week, Missouri State, veteran team, physical team, I have a lot of respect for them. We just need to go out and play well. So, I don't know if I really answered your question, but maybe I don't want to, I don't know."

Van Horn talked about practicing on the turf field in the rain on Thursday.

"If we had been on the field, say we played a series or a game here, it probably wouldn't have been something we would have done," Van Horn said. "It was good to get out there on the turf. There's no dirt, no mud, so I felt like it was pretty safe. Looking at the forecast, we might play in some wet conditions. Field is slick, the ball hydroplaned a little bit, but I don't think it hurt us at all. I thought the guys really embraced and went out and got after it. It was fun."

Shortstop Camden Kozeal feels the Razorbacks will come out with good energy against Missouri State Friday evening.

"It's a great team, it's fun to play against them," Kozeal said. "It was fun to go up there to Springfield and play an extra-inning game. That was a real cool atmosphere to play in. That stadium was pretty full and we know they've played down here in some midweeks and it's been pretty full there, too, so I'm assuming it'll be the same thing here tomorrow night. We're just excited to go play them."

Van Horn felt it was good to get a feel for Hoglund Park on Thursday.

"It looked like to me, it used to be like 350 down the line, now it's more 330," Van Horn said. "Big alleys, 400 dead-center at least, I would say. Got to hit it over the big wall. You learn how to play the double down the lines and you don't want the ball getting by you. Those are the things that you use, say, on your regular series on a Thursday night practice. You go early and learn the field a little bit. Reminds me a little bit of Kentucky's field that we played on a couple of weeks ago. Kinda the same dimensions. It looks like the wind's going to blow out of the east, pretty much, this weekend, so it'll be in from the left. But yeah, the way I look at it, it's the same for everybody. They've done a nice job here."