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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas baseball is 10-10 in its last 20 games against Missouri State. The two teams have also split their past six meetings in the postseason.
The next showdown between the two regional rivals will come in the opening game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The Razorbacks (39-20) and Bears (34-19) are set to tango at the Lawrence Regional on Friday, May 29. The loser is headed to an elimination game on Saturday, while the winner will play for a spot in the regional championship.
As of Wednesday night, Arkansas had not announced its starting pitcher. Here are two questions and a score prediction for the upcoming matchup between Arkansas and Missouri State.
Arkansas scored 26 runs, clobbered seven homers and had success against nearly every Bears pitcher it faced during two midweek games.
But one of the lone Missouri State arms to have success was Brock Lewis, who didn't give up an earned run in 5⅓ innings. He recently became the No. 2 starter and is an option to get the ball against the Razorbacks.
The more-likely starter is Jason Schaaf, who gave up five runs in 3⅔ innings against Arkansas last year but has not faced the Hogs in 2026.
If the Razorbacks can carry over their offensive dominance from the regular season, they should advance to the winners bracket.
Missouri State had 10 hits and only scored four runs in the Hogs' April victory. The Bears failed to cash in on their opportunities with just one homer.
By contrast, the Bears hit four long balls and scored 15 times in their March upset. They rank 14th in the nation with 104 home runs, and they'll look to capitalize on the conditions inside Hoglund Ballpark.
"It's hitter-friendly, for sure," Arkansas outfielder Zack Stewart said. "The ball flies there. It's a good ballpark to be in for a hitter."
Stewart is in his first year with the Hogs after transferring in from Missouri State. He played multiple games against Kansas while he was with the Bears.
Regardless of who pitches, the Razorbacks will march on and avoid an elimination game on Saturday. The offensive surge in recent weeks will continue, with Arkansas also capitalizing on the hitter-friendly ballpark. Arkansas 9, Missouri State 5.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball vs Missouri State prediction for Lawrence Regional
Continue reading...
The next showdown between the two regional rivals will come in the opening game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The Razorbacks (39-20) and Bears (34-19) are set to tango at the Lawrence Regional on Friday, May 29. The loser is headed to an elimination game on Saturday, while the winner will play for a spot in the regional championship.
As of Wednesday night, Arkansas had not announced its starting pitcher. Here are two questions and a score prediction for the upcoming matchup between Arkansas and Missouri State.
Does Missouri State's weekend pitching make a difference?
Arkansas scored 26 runs, clobbered seven homers and had success against nearly every Bears pitcher it faced during two midweek games.
But one of the lone Missouri State arms to have success was Brock Lewis, who didn't give up an earned run in 5⅓ innings. He recently became the No. 2 starter and is an option to get the ball against the Razorbacks.
The more-likely starter is Jason Schaaf, who gave up five runs in 3⅔ innings against Arkansas last year but has not faced the Hogs in 2026.
If the Razorbacks can carry over their offensive dominance from the regular season, they should advance to the winners bracket.
Can Arkansas pitchers limit the long ball?
Missouri State had 10 hits and only scored four runs in the Hogs' April victory. The Bears failed to cash in on their opportunities with just one homer.
By contrast, the Bears hit four long balls and scored 15 times in their March upset. They rank 14th in the nation with 104 home runs, and they'll look to capitalize on the conditions inside Hoglund Ballpark.
"It's hitter-friendly, for sure," Arkansas outfielder Zack Stewart said. "The ball flies there. It's a good ballpark to be in for a hitter."
Stewart is in his first year with the Hogs after transferring in from Missouri State. He played multiple games against Kansas while he was with the Bears.
Prediction: Arkansas baseball advances to winners bracket
Regardless of who pitches, the Razorbacks will march on and avoid an elimination game on Saturday. The offensive surge in recent weeks will continue, with Arkansas also capitalizing on the hitter-friendly ballpark. Arkansas 9, Missouri State 5.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball vs Missouri State prediction for Lawrence Regional
Continue reading...
