Arkansas’ baseball team won their first of two exhibition games this fall over Wichita State 10-1 in front of 5,142 fans on Friday night. There were strong showings from several newcomers, as well as multiple returners.
Isaiah Campbell started on the mound and went 4 innings, striking out 8 and allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits and a walk. Campbell, who has added a quality changeup to his repertoire, looked like the ace that Arkansas will be relying on in the spring.
Jacob Kostyshock pitched two innings in relief, striking out three, while Matt Cronin struck out the side on 12 pitches in his lone inning. Other returners who pitched an inning apiece were Kole Ramage (2 K), Caleb Bolden (2 K), Cody Scroggins (1 K), and Angus Denton, who allowed the only other hit besides Campbell. Newcomers Jacob Burton (1 K), Patrick Wicklander (2 K), and Elijah Trest (2 K) also pitched an inning each.
Offensively, the Hogs outhit the Shockers 13-5, led by transfer Matt Goodheart who had 2 hits including a three-run home run and 2 runs scored as the leadoff hitter. Heston Kjerstad hit a home run of his own, his to the opposite field, and drove in two. Dominic Fletcher collected two hits of his own, while Jack Kenley drove in a run with a single, stole a base, and scored two runs.
Case Martin, who was recently named D1 baseball’s top MLB prospect in the 2020 class, went 1 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Two way player Trest went 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored, and Jordan McFarland also smashed a double in four at bats.
Arkansas will travel to Little Rock for their next exhibition game on October 12 at 4:30 pm against UALR. This is the first year the NCAA is allowing teams to play two games in the fall without them counting toward the 56 game schedule in the following spring. The game against UALR will likely follow a similar format to the 14 inning game played agains WSU.