Free baseball game Fayetteville : The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team concluded their fall ball season with a pair of exhibition games at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, beginning with a matchup against the Little Rock Trojans on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. The game served as a key developmental opportunity for both teams, offering fans an early look at emerging talent and strategic adjustments ahead of the 2026 season.
Competitive Matchup Between Rivals
The Trojans, led by Conway native and head coach Chris Curry, entered the game with momentum from their impressive 2025 campaign, where they advanced to the final round of the Baton Rouge Regional before falling to LSU, the eventual national champions. That narrow loss denied them a potential showdown with Arkansas in the College World Series, adding a layer of intrigue to this fall exhibition.
Both managers, Dave Van Horn for Arkansas and Chris Curry for Little Rock, unveiled 10-player lineups, signaling an emphasis on player rotation and experimentation rather than traditional game strategy. The expanded rosters allowed for unorthodox substitutions and broader evaluation of depth across positions.
Game Highlights and Pitching Performances
Arkansas started left-hander Colin Fisher on the mound, who delivered a strong first inning with a four-pitch strikeout of Michael O’Brien, followed by two quick groundouts. Fisher maintained control early, retiring the side in order despite a hard liner into center field by Cade Martin in the second inning.
The Razorbacks struggled to generate offense early, recording five consecutive groundouts before Maika Niu drew a walk in the second inning—their first baserunner of the day. Niu successfully stole second base, showcasing the team’s focus on aggressive baserunning, but the inning ended with a strikeout.
In the third inning, Little Rock threatened with a base hit to right field and a walk, but a double play erased the rally. Arkansas pitcher Fisher struck out Rhoades to open the frame and limited damage despite a missed catch opportunity by Kuhio Aloy.
The fourth inning saw pitching changes, with James DeCremer replacing Fisher and Carson Willis taking over behind the plate for Arkansas. DeCremer struck out Cooper Chaplain but walked Angel Cano and hit Nico Baumbach, loading the bases before escaping the inning with a pop-up and groundout.
Looking Ahead
While the game remained scoreless through four innings, the focus was not on the scoreboard but on player development and team cohesion. Arkansas will face Dallas Baptist in their second exhibition on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT, continuing their fall evaluation process.
These exhibitions are critical for assessing pitching depth, defensive chemistry, and offensive consistency under game-like conditions. With the 2026 season on the horizon, every at-bat and pitch carries weight in shaping the Razorbacks’ competitive edge.
