Arkansas baseball and softball fans finally have something to circle on the calendar this fall.
The Razorbacks have announced their Diamond Classic exhibition games, an eight-game scrimmage set run by Diamond Sports Alliance.
Both programs will play one baseball game and one softball game across four days spread between September and October.
Coach Dave Van Horn’s baseball squad will get three fall exhibition games plus a Red-White scrimmage and a home run derby presented by Wright’s Barbecue.
Softball coach Courtney Deifel is coming off her team’s first-ever trip to the Women’s College World Series and she’ll lead the Hogs through two fall exhibition games and two Red-White scrimmages of her own along with a home run derby.
The action starts Friday Sept. 18 at Bogle Park where softball opens with a Red-White Game at 4 p.m.
Fans can stick around after each softball game for a chance to meet players and coaches and grab autographs before heading over to Baum-Walker Stadium.
Baseball closes out that night with its own Red-White Game and home run derby starting at 7 p.m.
What’s on the fall schedule
Saturday Oct. 3 brings two road opponents to town. Softball squares off with Tulsa while baseball takes on Little Rock.
That Tulsa matchup carries a little extra history since new Golden Hurricanes coach DJ Gasso used to work as an assistant for Arkansas softball.
It’ll mark his first trip back to Bogle Park since taking the Tulsa job.
Two weeks later on Saturday, Oct. 17, Oklahoma State heads to Fayetteville to face Deifel’s squad while Dallas Baptist visits Baum-Walker Stadium to play Van Horn’s Hogs.
Game times for both Saturday matchups haven’t been released yet.
The Diamond Classic wraps up Friday Oct. 23 with softball hosting a second Red-White Game and home run derby at 4 p.m.
Baseball closes out fall ball that night with a 7 p.m. game against UCA.
Ticket prices vary by sport and seating area. Baseball single-game general admission runs $17 and covers seats from the dugouts to the outfield along with the Hog Pen.
Premium seats behind home plate and in Hog Heaven cost $27. Softball single-game tickets are $11 and include chairback seating and the Bogle Berm.
Money raised through the Diamond Classic will go toward Name, Image and Likeness opportunities for Arkansas baseball and softball student-athletes, giving both programs a direct benefit beyond just fall reps on the field.
Key takeaways
The Razorbacks’ Diamond Classic runs four dates from Sept. 18 through Oct. 23 with baseball and softball each playing exhibition games against outside opponents
Softball opens the series against former Arkansas assistant DJ Gasso and his new Tulsa team on Oct. 3
Ticket and series pass proceeds will fund NIL opportunities for baseball and softball athletes
