The University of Arkansas baseball team is set to open its NCAA Tournament run on the road, heading to Lawrence, Kansas, to meet Missouri State on Friday, May 29, with first pitch slated for 5 p.m. CT at Hoglund Ballpark.
A historic matchup
The Razorbacks arrive with a 39‑20 record and have posted a 13‑5 stretch over their last 18 outings, having just reached the SEC Tournament final, while the Bears, coached by Joey Hawkins, finished third in Conference USA and captured a semifinal berth in their league tournament.
This will mark the third meeting of the two programs this season; Arkansas and Missouri State split a pair of midweek games during the regular season, setting the stage for a potentially pivotal clash.
Broadcast and stakes
ESPNU will carry the game live, and viewers can also stream the action on ESPN+ and Fubo. A victory would propel Arkansas forward in the tournament while giving Missouri State a chance to showcase its postseason mettle.
Looking ahead
Both coaches see the encounter as more than a first‑round test; Dave Van Horn hopes the Razorbacks can ride this momentum into the super regionals, whereas Joey Hawkins wants the Bears to build on their recent conference success and push deeper into the bracket.