Razorbacks to Open 2025 Season with Friday Doubleheader Against Washington State
The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team is set to open the 2025 season with a four-game series against Washington State at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville. However, due to expected inclement weather on Sunday, the schedule has undergone some changes. The Razorbacks will now play a doubleheader on Friday, with the first game starting at 12:00 PM instead of the originally scheduled 3:00 PM. The second game of the doubleheader will take place approximately 30-45 minutes after the conclusion of the opener. Saturday’s game remains unchanged at 2:00 PM, while the series finale is set for Monday at 12:00 PM.
Friday Game 1: Gabe Gaeckle (RHP, Sophomore)
Sophomore right-hander Gabe Gaeckle will get the ball for the season opener. Gaeckle, who primarily served as Arkansas’ closer last season, is making the transition into the starting rotation. He had an impressive freshman campaign, posting a 2.32 ERA and seven saves across 42.2 innings. His ability to generate strikeouts and control the game in high-leverage situations made him a trusted arm out of the bullpen in 2024. Now, he looks to establish himself as a front-line starter for the Razorbacks.
Friday Game 2: Zach Root (LHP, Transfer)
The second game of Friday’s doubleheader will feature left-hander Zach Root, a transfer from East Carolina. Root had a solid freshman year with the Pirates, compiling a 3.12 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 52 innings. His ability to mix speeds and locate pitches effectively made him one of the top young arms in the AAC. The Razorbacks coaching staff is eager to see how he handles his first start in a Razorback uniform.
Saturday: Gage Wood (RHP, Sophomore)
Sophomore right-hander Gage Wood will take the mound for Saturday’s game. Wood made the transition from reliever to starter this offseason, following a promising 2024 campaign in which he posted a 2.59 ERA and struck out 49 batters over 48.2 innings. His fastball-slider combination has been effective in shutting down opposing hitters, and the coaching staff believes he has the durability to succeed in a starting role.
Monday: Landon Beidelschies (LHP, Transfer)
Left-handed transfer Landon Beidelschies, formerly of Ohio State, will start the series finale on Monday. Beidelschies comes to Arkansas with a reputation for generating swings and misses, recording 75 strikeouts in 58 innings for the Buckeyes last season. His experience in a Power Five conference should help him adjust quickly to the competition in the SEC.
Adjustments for Opening Weekend
The decision to move Sunday’s game and play a doubleheader on Friday was made in response to the threat of severe weather. Head coach Dave Van Horn emphasized that player safety and maintaining the integrity of the series were the top priorities.
“Weather is always a factor early in the season,” Van Horn said. “We wanted to make sure we got all four games in and put our pitchers in the best position to succeed. Playing a doubleheader on Friday gives us that flexibility.”
Arkansas fans who planned to attend the originally scheduled Sunday game are encouraged to check ticket policies and availability for the updated schedule. The Razorbacks will also provide updates through their official social media channels and website.
A Look Ahead to the Season
Arkansas enters the 2025 season with high expectations, looking to make another deep postseason run. With a mix of experienced returners and talented newcomers, the Razorbacks are poised to compete in the always-challenging SEC. The rotation will be key to their success, especially in a conference known for its elite pitching talent.
Gaeckle’s transition to the rotation is one of the biggest storylines to watch early in the season. If he can maintain the effectiveness he showed in relief while building up his stamina for longer outings, he could emerge as a true ace. Root and Beidelschies add much-needed left-handed depth to the pitching staff, while Wood’s development as a starter could provide stability in weekend series.
Offensively, Arkansas will lean on returning stars and impact transfers to generate runs. The Razorbacks lost several key hitters from last year’s squad but have a strong group of returning bats, including outfielder Kendall Diggs and infielder Peyton Holt. The lineup will need to provide run support for the pitching staff, particularly in a challenging non-conference slate.
What Fans Can Expect
The opening weekend series against Washington State will provide an early glimpse into Arkansas’ strengths and areas for improvement. With a restructured rotation and new faces in key roles, the Razorbacks will be looking to establish chemistry and consistency from the first pitch.
Fans attending games at Baum-Walker Stadium should be prepared for possible weather delays, given the forecasted conditions. As always, the Razorback faithful are expected to pack the stands and provide a strong home-field advantage.
With a talented roster and high expectations, Arkansas baseball is ready to embark on what could be another exciting season. The adjustments to the opening weekend schedule ensure that fans and players alike get to witness a full slate of action as the team kicks off their campaign.
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