Image – Whole Hog Sports
Arkansas baseball opens fall practice Sept. 9
Image – Whole Hog Sports
After its season ended with a loss to No. 15 national seed Kansas in the Lawrence Regional, Arkansas will open fall practice Tuesday as it begins preparation for the 2027 season.
Coach Dave Van Horn’s roster includes key returners, a large transfer class and 10 freshmen as the Razorbacks look to return to Omaha.
2026 Arkansas Fall Baseball Schedule
The Diamond Classic features three exhibition games, a Red-White scrimmage and a home run derby presented by Wright’s Barbecue for Dave Van Horn’s team. Arkansas opens fall play with the Red-White game and the home run derby on Friday, Sept. 18 before their first exhibition game over two weeks later against instate foe Little Rock on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The Razorbacks welcome Dallas Baptist to Baum-Walker Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17 before wrapping up the Diamond Classic against Central Arkansas on Friday, Oct. 23.
Diamond Classic Schedule
Friday, Sept. 18
Red-White Game & Home Run Derby presented by Wright’s Barbecue (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 3
vs. Little Rock (TBD)
Saturday, Oct. 17
vs. Dallas Baptist (TBD)
Friday, Oct. 23
vs. Central Arkansas (7 p.m.)
2026 Arkansas Baseball Fall Roster
Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics
Returners:
Redshirt Senior infielder Reese Robinett
Senior infielder TJ Pompey
Senior infielder Nolan Souza
Junior left hand pitcher Cole Gibler
Junior right hand pitcher Steele Eaves
Junior right hand pitcher Jackson Kircher
Redshirt Sophomore outfielder Brenton Clark
Sophomore outfielder/catcher Carter Rutenbar
Sophomore outfielder Christian Turner
Sophomore utility player Tye Briscoe
Sophomore right hand pitcher Mark Brissey
Sophomore right hand pitcher Peyton Lee
Sophomore right hand pitcher Jordan Martin
Sophomore utility player Tye Briscoe
Sophomore infielder/right hand pitcher Luke Cornelison
Returning pitchers Cole Gibler, Steele Eaves and Jackson Kircher are the base for what should be a better overall pitching staff for Arkansas in 2027 with a number of transfer additions. Sophomores Mark Brissey, Peyton Lee and Jordan Martin should step into bigger roles on the mound, helping Matt Hobbs’ staff create more depth.
Around the diamond, senior infielders TJ Pompey and Nolan Souza will lead the Razorbacks. Redshirt senior Reese Robinett also returns, adding another experienced option to Arkansas’ infield mix.
Carter Rutenbar, Christian Turner and Brenton Clark will have opportunities to take on larger roles. Rutenbar could fit in as a designated hitter while Turner and Clark will get a chance to play in an outfield expected to feature three new starters in 2027.
Image – Southwest Times Record
Transfer Additions:
Senior outfielder Zeb Allen – Central Arkansas
Senior infielder Dawson Bryce – Charlotte
Junior catcher Nolan Traeger – TCU
Junior outfielder AJ Evasco – Kansas State
Junior infielder Manny Marin – Tennessee
Junior infielder Johnny Gomez – Farleigh Dickinson
Junior right hand pitcher Michael Malki – California Baptist
Junior right hand pitcher Brayden Krenzel – Tennessee
Sophomore right hand pitcher Luke Neiswonger – Central Michigan
Sophomore right hand pitcher Connor Udland – Houston
Sophomore left hand pitcher Ridge Harvey – Belmont
Central Arkansas transfer Zeb Allen and Kansas State transfer AJ Evasco could compete for starting role in Van Horn’s outfield after combining for 25 home runs at their previous stops during the 2026 season. Tennessee transfer Manny Marin, Charlotte transfer Dawson Bryce and Farleigh Dickinson transfer Johnny Gomez will compete for spots in the infield to form a strong group alongside Pompey and Souza.
Former TCU catcher Nolan Traeger will fill the opening at catcher left by Ryder Helfrick. Van Horn’s staff added five Division I transfer pitchers, including California Baptist starter Michael Malki, Tennessee transfer Brayden Krenzel, Belmont transfer Ridge Harvey, Central Michigan transfer Luke Neiswonger and Houston transfer Connor Udland.
Image – KNWA FOX24
JUCO:
Junior left hand pitcher Micah Henson – Crowder College
Sophomore right hand pitcher Lance Alexander – Johnson Community College
Junior right hand pitcher Ned Frutchey – Sacramento City College
Sophomore right hand pitcher Holden Herring – Weatherford College
Four junior college transfer pitchers join five Division I transfers on Arkansas’ roster. Crowder transfer Micah Henson, Johnson transfer Lance Alexander, Sacramento City transfer Ned Frutchey and Weatherford transfer Holden Herring will add to what is already a deep pitching staff under Hobbs.
Image – Sports Illustrated
High School:
Freshman outfielder/right hand pitcher Lincoln Boyle
Freshman infielder Spencer Browning
Freshman outfielder/right hand pitcher Ty Burnham
Freshman infielder Dylan Cheek
Freshman right hand pitcher Brody Crane
Freshman infielder/catcher Tory Fisher
Freshman catcher Max Holland
Freshman utility player Jorvorskie Lane Jr.
Freshman left hand pitcher Trystan Newberry
Freshman outfielder Judah Ota
Freshman left hand pitcher/outfielder Hunter Rose
Van Horn’s freshman class is made up of 10 players, including five pitchers and five position players. Utility player Jorvorskie Lane Jr. and outfielder Judah Ota headline the class. Three pitchers, right-handers Lincoln Boyle, Ty Burnham and left-hander Hunter Rose also could play in the outfield during their time in Fayetteville.
Left hander Trystan Newberry and right hander Brody Crane join Boyle, Burnham and Rose on the mound while Max Holland provides catching depth behind Traeger. Infielders Spencer Browning, Dylan Cheek and Tory Fisher (who could also catch) round out the class.
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