Kansas State Shocks No. 5 Arkansas with Gritty Pitching and Timely Hitting

In a game that underscored the unpredictable nature of college baseball, the No. 5 Arkansas Razorbacks suffered a stunning 3-2 upset at the hands of the Kansas State Wildcats in the College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Wildcats, despite their underdog status, rode a combination of stellar pitching and disciplined at-bats to secure the victory, leaving the Razorbacks searching for answers after a frustrating night at the plate.

A Battle of Momentum Swings

The game was marked by dramatic shifts in momentum, with Arkansas appearing poised to take control following back-to-back home runs from brothers Wehiwa and Kuhio Aloy in the sixth inning. Their solo shots electrified the Razorback-heavy crowd and momentarily erased a 2-0 deficit. However, Kansas State had an immediate response, demonstrating resilience that ultimately carried them to victory.

In the seventh inning, the Wildcats capitalized on a mistake pitch from Arkansas right-hander Tate McGuire. After allowing a leadoff infield single to David Bishop, McGuire left a cutter over the plate, and Micah Dean drove it into the left-field corner, allowing Bishop to score from first. That RBI proved to be the game-winner, as Kansas State held on over the final innings to complete the upset.

Kansas State's Pitching Dominates

The unsung heroes of the night were Kansas State’s pitching staff, particularly starter Jacob Frost and reliever Blake Dean. Frost, who struggled with a 7.49 ERA as a freshman last season, delivered an outstanding performance. Through five innings, he limited Arkansas to just two hits and two walks, keeping the Razorbacks off balance with a fastball that consistently sat in the 93-94 mph range. His command and sequencing were particularly effective, as he used the inside fastball strategically against right-handed hitters, a game plan that Arkansas struggled to adjust to.

Dean took over in the sixth after the Aloy brothers’ homers and shut the door the rest of the way. Despite a near disaster when Arkansas' Cam Kozeal nearly launched a home run off him on his second pitch—settling instead for a double—Dean responded by striking out three of the next four batters he faced. Even when Arkansas threatened with a ninth-inning leadoff single from Kendall Diggs, Dean remained composed, retiring the next three batters to seal the victory.

Razorbacks’ Offensive Woes

While Kansas State’s pitching deserves credit, Arkansas’ offensive struggles were self-inflicted to some degree. The Razorbacks managed just seven hits in 33 at-bats (.212) and were a dismal 1-for-14 with runners on base. They failed to advance a leadoff hitter past first base three separate times and squandered crucial opportunities in scoring position. Their lone hit with a runner on came in the seventh when Wehiwa Aloy singled up the middle, but an ill-advised baserunning decision saw Charles Davalan thrown out at third, killing any chance of a rally.

“It didn’t look like he was going full speed like he was going 100% right away,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn lamented. “The play is in front of you, you should have shut it down. Bottom line. You don’t make the third out at third, especially when you have your hottest hitter coming up.”

Van Horn also highlighted the team’s inability to execute small-ball situations, including two failed bunt attempts that went directly back to the pitcher. Those missed opportunities, combined with their struggles to hit with runners in scoring position, proved costly in a tightly contested game.

Gaeckle Battles, but Control Issues Loom

On the mound, Arkansas starter Gabe Gaeckle didn’t have his best stuff but battled through 5 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and four walks. It was an uncharacteristic outing for Gaeckle, who had previously held opponents to a .157 batting average in his collegiate career. He struggled with command, leaving too many pitches over the plate and giving Kansas State hitters the ability to put the ball in play with authority.

Despite his struggles, Gaeckle managed to keep Arkansas within striking distance. He threw a season-high 99 pitches, pushing past his expected limit after convincing Van Horn to let him pitch into the sixth inning. However, the gamble nearly backfired, as Kansas State’s Nick English appeared to double down the left-field line to lead off the inning before being called out on an appeal for missing first base.

“Gabe didn’t have his stuff tonight,” Van Horn admitted. “He wasn’t able to locate the heater where he wanted it, left some breaking balls over the plate, but I have to give him credit… He fought.”

Looking Ahead: A Tough Test Against TCU

The loss drops Arkansas to 4-2 on the season, and things won’t get any easier as they prepare to face a red-hot TCU squad on Saturday. The Horned Frogs, now 5-0 after a 6-3 win over Michigan, will present another significant challenge for the Razorbacks. TCU ended Arkansas’ 2023 season in the Fayetteville Regional, outscoring them 50-15 across three games, adding extra intensity to this rematch.

“They’ve got a really good team,” Van Horn said. “We’re going to have to pick up the pace a little bit if we’re going to have a chance to beat them tomorrow.”

The game is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed on FloSports, with Arkansas looking to bounce back and prove they can compete against top-tier competition.

Takeaways: Lessons for the Razorbacks

1. Offensive Consistency is Key – Arkansas cannot afford to rely solely on the long ball. Their inability to manufacture runs with timely hitting and productive outs cost them against Kansas State.
2. Baserunning Must Improve – Poor baserunning decisions, such as Davalan’s ill-fated attempt to take third, need to be addressed in order to avoid gifting opponents outs.
3. Adjustments at the Plate Are Needed – Kansas State’s game plan of attacking Arkansas hitters inside worked to perfection. The Razorbacks must adjust quicker when facing quality pitching.
4. Gaeckle’s Development Continues – While he battled through adversity, Gaeckle’s outing showed areas for improvement, particularly in command and efficiency.

The Razorbacks have a chance to right the ship against TCU, but they’ll need a much cleaner performance to avoid another early-season setback.