FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas opened fall practice this week with the same expectations it has carried for much of the past two decades under coach Dave Van Horn.
He’s still looking to build a roster capable of competing for a national championship.
The Razorbacks begin the six-week fall session balancing player development, injury recovery and roster management after another deep run in the College World Series. Van Horn, entering his 24th season, said the priority will be blending returning contributors with newcomers while carefully managing workloads.
Practice structure
Arkansas will hold individual skill workouts during the week, with intrasquad scrimmages on weekends. The practices lead up to a pair of exhibition games in mid-October — Oct. 10–11 in Little Rock and at Dallas Baptist. The games will serve as measuring sticks against NCAA Tournament competition before the team closes practice later in the month.
Van Horn said the staff has stressed evaluation over results.
“The goal in the fall is to find out who can help us when the season comes,” he said. “It’s not about winning these scrimmages. It’s about seeing where the pieces fit.”
Pitching staff under watch
Managing pitchers will be a focus. Sophomore right-hander Gabe Gaeckle, who threw significant innings for Team USA during the summer, will not pitch this fall. Van Horn said the decision was made to protect Gaeckle’s long-term health.
“I feel like he was good with it,” Van Horn said. “When you look at guys who throw in the summer, you have to weigh whether it’s best for them to keep going. Gabe threw a lot. We know what he can do. This gives him time to get stronger.”
The Razorbacks are also without several veteran arms who left through the draft or graduation. The staff will use the fall to evaluate younger pitchers and transfers, hoping to build enough depth before the spring schedule.
Injury updates
Injuries are also shaping the fall. Sophomore infielder Nolan Souza, who played a key role in last year’s postseason, remains limited while recovering from surgery. He has been cleared for conditioning work but not for live at-bats.
“He is upbeat and looks good,” Van Horn said. “We expect him to be ready for the season, but he won’t do a lot of hitting this fall.”
Arkansas will also monitor several position players who missed time last season. The staff said the goal is to avoid setbacks, even if it means reducing workloads in October.
Building off last season
Arkansas finished 50-15 last season, reaching the College World Series for the 12th time in program history. The run was highlighted by freshman pitcher Gage Wood’s no-hitter in regional play and shortstop Wehiwa Aloy earning SEC Player of the Year honors.
The Razorbacks fell short of a national title but reinforced their reputation as one of the nation’s most consistent programs. Van Horn has guided Arkansas to seven College World Series appearances since 2015, with a runner-up finish in 2018.
“Our players understand the expectations here,” Van Horn said. “It doesn’t matter how many guys we lose to the draft or graduation. The goal is to get back to Omaha.”
New faces, same goals
Arkansas welcomes a mix of incoming freshmen and transfers this fall. The competition for roles will be immediate, particularly in the infield and on the mound. Van Horn said fall practice will determine which players adapt quickly enough to contribute in the spring.
Several position battles will carry into preseason workouts in January. The coaching staff has pointed to defense and pitching depth as priorities before the Razorbacks open the 2026 season in February.
Schedule context
The fall exhibitions continue a trend in college baseball of programs using October games for development and fan engagement. Arkansas’ matchup at Dallas Baptist follows recent fall contests against Oklahoma and Wichita State. The neutral-site game in Little Rock will also give central Arkansas fans a chance to see the team outside Fayetteville.
“These games are a chance to compete against other quality programs and to put our guys in front of fans,” Van Horn said. “We can learn a lot in those environments.”
Looking ahead
The Razorbacks will have several months of offseason training after the fall before formal preseason practice begins in January. By then, Van Horn expects to have a clearer picture of the roster’s strengths and weaknesses.
“The fall is important, but the real test is what happens in the spring,” he said. “We’ll know more about this group when the season starts.”
Arkansas enters the new year once again among the projected contenders in the Southeastern Conference. The Razorbacks have won four SEC titles since 2004 and have regularly produced top-ranked recruiting classes, according to D1Baseball.
Consistent expectations
For Van Horn, who has compiled more than 900 wins at Arkansas, the formula remains unchanged. Evaluate talent, keep players healthy and prepare for the grind of the SEC.
“It’s about building a team,” he said. “Every year is different, but the expectations are the same.”
Three Takeaways
• Pitching depth will be critical. With Gabe Gaeckle resting and veterans gone, younger arms and transfers must step up for Arkansas.
• Injuries are monitored closely. Nolan Souza’s progress and other players’ recoveries will shape the lineup heading into preseason practices.
• Exhibitions offer early tests. October matchups in Little Rock and