No. 2-seeded Arkansas keeps their NCAA Tournament run alive Saturday afternoon when they square off against No. 1-seeded Kansas in the Lawrence Regional.
First pitch at Hoglund Park in Lawrence, Kansas, is set for 5 p.m., and the game’s on ESPN2 and WatchESPN.
Fans statewide will also be able to listen to the game on the Razorback Sports Network on ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in Fort Smith and the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
It’s a winner’s bracket game that could go a long way toward deciding who advances out of the Lawrence Regional and keeps their road to Omaha rolling.
Quick-Reference Game Info
- Who: No. 2-seed Arkansas Razorbacks (40-20, 17-13 SEC) vs. No. 1-seed Kansas Jayhawks (43-16, 22-8 Big 12)
- When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
- Where: Hoglund Park — Lawrence, Kansas
- TV/Stream: ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+
- Radio: ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in Fort Smith and the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home
Coming Off Regional Opener Win
Arkansas got its NCAA Tournament run started with a 9-5 win over Missouri State on Friday night, rallying from a 3-0 deficit with eight unanswered runs.
Gabe Gaeckle got the start and allowed those three early runs before Steele Eaves, Parker Coil and Ethan McElvain came in to hold Missouri State scoreless the rest of the way.
The Hogs now turn the page to a tougher challenge in Kansas, the regional’s top seed and host.
Dietz Gets the Ball
Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn named lefty ace Hunter Dietz as the Razorbacks’ starter for Saturday’s game.
Dietz carries a 3.40 ERA with 117 strikeouts against just 29 walks across 79.1 innings pitched this season, posting a 7-3 record.
Kansas hasn’t announced a starter, but the Jayhawks will counter with a rotation that’s been solid throughout a strong Big 12 season.
Kansas Is No Easy Out
The Jayhawks enter Saturday’s matchup riding a four-game winning streak that included winning the Big 12 Tournament title.
Kansas took care of No. 4 seed Northeastern 6-3 in the regional opener to earn the right to host the Hogs in Game 4.
Jayhawks coach Dan Fitzgerald is in his fourth season in Lawrence. During his tenure, he’s built a 142-88 record overall and a 65-49 mark in Big 12 play.
A Series With Some History
The two programs don’t meet very often.
Arkansas and Kansas have faced off just 23 times since 1994, with the Razorbacks holding a 17-6 advantage in the all-time series.
Saturday’s game will be the first meeting between the two programs in 15 years with the last came on March 5, 2011, when Arkansas beat Kansas 4-2 at Baum-Walker Stadium.
BetSaracen Odds
For fans who like to follow the lines, Arkansas is listed as the favorite on the moneyline at -135, with Kansas coming in at +110 at BetSaracen.
Some player props are also available through the BetSaracen app, including Maika Niu going over 0.5 extra-base hits and over 0.5 RBI at +155, Ryder Helfrick going over 1.5 hits and over 0.5 runs scored at +175 and TJ Pompey going over 1.5 hits and over 0.5 runs scored at +275. Additional props can be found on the BetSaracen app.
You must be at least 21 years of age to use BetSaracen. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net.
What’s Next in Regional
The bracket keeps moving on Sunday regardless of Saturday’s result.
The loser of Game 4 between Arkansas and Kansas will face the winner of Game 3 (Missouri State vs. Northeastern) at noon on Sunday, with the survivor of that game facing the Game 4 winner at 5 p.m. Sunday.
If a seventh game is needed, it’s set for Monday.
