Around a decade ago, give or take, Arkansas and Missouri State had one of the hottest nonconference rivalries in college baseball. And while it’s cooled as the Bears have fallen off a bit from their peak in the mid-to-late 2010s, moments still flash.
The latest chance at a rekindling comes Tuesday and Wednesday as Arkansas is set to host its neighbors about two hours north for a two-game midweek set from Baum Walker Stadium. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
It’s the latest chance at a rekindling, but the last for Missouri State coach Keith Guttin, who announced earlier in the year that he would be retiring at season’s end. He’s been the Bears coach since 1983. Such a tenure has put him second in wins active coaches and eighth all-time. That’s even with Missouri State in the midst of a sub-.500 season in the Missouri Valley Conference and carrying a record six games below .500 overall.
Missouri State has won its last two games against Arkansas. Most memorably, the Bears and Diamond Hogs played against each other three times in the Fayetteville Regional in 2017, including a game that didn’t end until the morning hours because of rain delays.
No such rain is in the forecast Tuesday or Wednesday, giving Guttin a final shot to make a memory in Fayetteville.
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – SEPTEMBER 17: Fan bus of the Arkansas Razorbacks set up for tailgating before a game against the Missouri State Bears at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
- Date: Thursday, April 30, 2024
- Time: 6:30 p.m. (CT)
- Network: SEC Network
- Streaming: fuboTV (watch here)
The News-Leader
- OF Zack Stewart: .331 AVG, .400 OBP, .710 SLG, 18 HR, 45 RBI
- UTL Nick Rodriguez: .302 AVG, .423 OBP, .472 SLG, 8 SB
- C Dylan Leach: .301 AVG, .419 OBP, .621 SLG, 12 HR, 36 RBI
Jun 21, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks first baseman Peyton Stovall (10) drives in two runs against the Auburn Tigers in the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
- INF Peyton Stovall: .331 AVG, .407 OBP, .559 SLG, 7 HR, 30 RBI
- UTL Peyton Holt: .330 AVG, .440 OBP, .429 SLG
The News-Leader
- 41st season at Missouri State
- 11 NCAA Tournament appearances
- Eighth on all-time wins list
Steven…
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