Arkansas Razorbacks Prepare for NCAA Tournament Opener Against NDSU
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Razorbacks, holding a record of 43-13 and ranked as the No. 3 national seed, are set to kick off their NCAA Tournament journey against the North Dakota State University Bison, who come in with a record of 20-32. The matchup will take place on Friday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium, starting at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Kevin Fitzgerald and Bobby Moranda providing commentary.
The winner of this first game will compete at 8 p.m. on Saturday against the victor of another matchup featuring No. 2 seed Kansas and No. 3 seed Creighton. Conversely, the losing teams will face off in an elimination game scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The victor from the Fayetteville Regional will advance to face the winner of the Knoxville Regional in a best-of-three super regional series from June 6-9. In Knoxville, No. 14 national seed Tennessee will host Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and Miami (OH).
NCAA Fayetteville Regional Schedule:
– **Friday, May 30:**
– Arkansas vs. NDSU – 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
– Kansas vs. Creighton – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
– **Saturday, May 31:**
– Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 2 p.m.
– Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 8 p.m.
– **Sunday, June 1:**
– Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser – 2 p.m.
– Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 8 p.m.
Potential Monday game if necessary:
– Game 7 – TBD
On the mound for Arkansas will be right-handed pitcher Aiden Jimenez, who has a record of 4-1 with a 3.37 ERA, while the Bison’s starting pitcher is left-handed Nolan Johnson, who holds a record of 4-5 with a 4.14 ERA.
The excitement around Baum-Walker Stadium is palpable as Arkansas prepares for its 36th NCAA Tournament, marking their 12th time hosting a regional and their seventh in the last eight years. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks have an impressive record of 72-48 in NCAA Tournament play and a solid 34-18 record in games at home.
As we celebrate this tournament endeavor, it’s worth noting that the 2025 season also marks the 30th anniversary of Baum-Walker Stadium. The Hogs have not only excelled at home this season, boasting a record of 32-4, but they also have a strong historical performance at this venue.
Fans can follow the Arkansas Razorbacks on social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, for comprehensive coverage and updates as they embark on their tournament journey. This tournament presents a fantastic opportunity for the Razorbacks to further solidify their legacy in college baseball, and with home-field advantage, they aim to make a deep run in the tournament.