2025 Kansas State vs Arkansas

Arkansas Baseball Upset By Jacob Frost And Kansas State

Arkansas Baseball Upset By Jacob Frost And Kansas State

Strong pitching kept the No. 5 Arkansas team at bay as Kansas State Baseball shocked the Razorbacks.

Feb 22, 2025 by Joe Harrington
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Must be something about Globe Life Field on a February Friday night. 

For the second week in a row, a ranked team was upset by big underdog as No. 5 Arkansas Baseball couldn't overcome strong pitching performances from Jacob Frost and Blake Dean.The lefty and righty pitchers combined to go all nine innings and allowed just two runs on seven hits and stuck out 11 in a 3-2 win at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series. 

Frost was near perfect until the sixth inning when the Aloy brothers, Wehiwa and Kuhio hit massive home runs in the same inning to the tie the game. Frost gave way to Dean who never allowed a run. 

In the top of the seventh inning, David Bishop singled and Micah Dean doubled as Kansas State took a 3-2 lead that they never gave up. Frost ended the game with a career-high six strike outs. 

There is no rest for the weary this weekend as Arkansas now faces undefeated TCU who beat Michigan 10-4 earlier in the day. But if Arkansas can learn from anyone, it's rival Texas. The Longhorns were upset in the Shriners Children's Baseball Showdown a week earlier on Friday by Louisville in extra innings, but bounced back to beat Ole Miss and Oklahoma State. 

Arkansas plays TCU in the Saturday night cap, while Kansas State will play in the afternoon on Saturday at Globe Life Field before them. Both games are streaming on FloCollege, FloBaseball and the FloSports app. 

Relive the game below!

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Blake Dean Closes Out Game, Kansas State Wins!

Arkansas 2, KSU 3 | Bottom Ninth

Blake Dean allowed a lead-off single to start the ninth inning while working in his third inning of relief, but the veteran recovered quickly. 

Dean induced a fly out and struck out the next two batters before facing Justin Thomas Jr. who grounded out.   

Wildcats Threaten, But Bear Madliak Thrown Out At Home

Arkansas 2, KSU 3 | Top Ninth

Kansas State was 90 feet away from adding an insurance run, but Bear Madliak was thrown out on a sacrifice fly play to end the inning.

Will McEntire In For Arkansas Baseball

Arkansas 2, KSU 3 | Top Ninth

Will McEntire is on the mound for Arkansas.

KSU 3 Outs Away From Beating No. 5 Arkansas

Arkansas 2, KSU 3 | Top Eighth

Blake Dean has pitched 2.2 of two-hit, no-run baseball as He worked a 1-2-3 inning. 

On to the ninth inning!

Coil Parker Works Clean Inning For Arkansas

Arkansas 2, KSU 3 | Top Eighth

Coil Parker induced back-to-back ground balls and a fly ball for a 1-2-3 inning.

Kansas State Gets Out Of Inning 

Arkansas 2, KSU 3 | Bottom Seventh 

Wehiwa Aloy hit a sharp single with two outs, but Charles Davalan was tagged out sliding into third base to end the inning. On to the eighth!

HIGHLIGHT: Kansas State Takes The Lead!

Kansas State Baseball Regains The Lead!

Arkansas 2, KSU 3 | Top Seventh

David Bishop singled and Micah Dean doubled and just like that, the Wildcats are back in front. 

Arkansas was able to get out of the inning with just one run across. 

HIGHLIGHT: Aloy Means Goodbye Tonight

Jacob Frost Chased Out By Aloys

Arkansas 2, KSU 2 | Bottom Six

Jacob Frost is out after allowing two solo home runs. Blake Dean is on the mound and he was greeted by a near home run by Rocco Peppi, who hit a double but was inches away from going long. 

He was able to get out of the inning.

Wehiwa Aloy AND HIS BROTHER Goes Deep For Arkansas!

Arkansas 2, KSU 2 | Bottom Six

Wehiwa Aloy lead-off the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot to right field. The game's first home run. 

Moments later, with one out, Kuhio Aloy homered to left field to tie the game. 

Tate McGuire On The Mound For Arkansas Baseball

Arkansas 0, KSU 2 | Top Six

Right-hander Tate McGuire takes over with a runner on and two outs. 

He induced a ground out to the first batter he faced. 

Base-running Blunder Dooms Kansas State

Arkansas 0, KSU 2 | Top Six

Nick English hit a double down the left field line, but he missed the first base bag and was called out after the umpires discussed the play. 

Gabe Gaeckle then presided to record a strike out before handing out a walk. Gaeckle was taken out of the game after throwing his 99th pitch, a career-high. 

Jacob Frost Has Career-High 6 Ks In Game

Arkansas 0, KSU 2 | Bottom Five

After Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick hit the first lead-off single of the night for the Razorbacks, Jacob Frost struck out the next two batters and induced a ground ball

Frost now had a career-high in strikeouts for a game with six.  

Gabe Gaeckle Works Fast Inning

Arkansas 0, KSU 2 | Top Five

Gabe Gaeckle worked his first 1-2-3 inning of the night

Jacob Frost Issues BB, Recovers To Retire Next 2 Batters

Arkansas 0, KSU 2 | Bottom Fourth

Jacob Frost recovered from a lead-off walk where it looked like he was struggling with his control, but after a mound visit, he was able to get the lead runner out on a fielder's choice and retired the next two hitters. 

Are You Not Entertained? Maximus Martin 2B Leads To Run

Arkansas 0, KSU 2 | Top Fourth

Maximus Martin hit a lead-off double and and Shintaro Inoue hit an RBI single as Kansas State added to the lead.

Gaeckle was able to limit the damage to one run. He is at 75 pitches. 

Highlights: Kansas State Grabs The Lead In The Third

Jacob Frost Works Around First Walk Of Game

Arkansas 0, KSU 1 | Bottom Third

Jacob Frost issued his first walk with two outs, but the lefty was able to get out of the inning after retiring the bulk of the Razorbacks top of the batting order. 

Gabe Gaeckle Pitch Count Mounting, KSU Ends Inning With Lead

Arkansas 0, KSU 1 | Top Third

After Kansas State took the lead, and after following a mound visit, Gabe Gaeckle walked his third batter of the game, Seth Dardar for the second time. Gaeckle was able to strand two runners after a pop-out. 

Gaeckle's fastball command was a off in the inning, despite a strong start to it and he leaves the third having throwing 62 pitches. 

Kansas State Baseball Takes Lead!

Arkansas 0, KSU 1 | Top Third

Gabe Gaeckle answered Jacob Frost's strong second with a dominant third frame, including a mid-90s fastball to register his first strike out.

Then Kansas State woke up in the third. 

Gaeckle issued a two-out walk to Micah Dean, who then stole second base. Dee Kennedy then hit his second single of the night to drive a run in.

Highlights: Arkansas Baseball Turns 2

Jacob Frost Rolls Through Arkansas Second

Arkansas 0, KSU 0 | Bottom Second

Jacob Frost is cruising, he added another K and worked the game's first clean inning. 

Highlights: Jacob Frost Got Heeem

Arkansas Baseball Uses Double Play To End Inning

Arkansas 0, KSU 0 | Top Second

A 1-out single by Kansas State, Gabe Gaeckle used a ground ball to get a double play to end the inning. 

Jacob Frost Ks Wehiwa Aloy, Works Around 2B

Arkansas 0, KSU 0 | Bottom First

Jacob Frost needed seven pitches to get the first two outs, including a K of one of the best prospects of in all of college baseball in shortstop Wehiwa Aloy. But like Gabe Gaeckle, Frost met resistance after the two quick outs. 

Brent Iredale hit a two-out double to extend the inning. But Frost stuck out the next batter to end the inning. 

On to the second! 

Gabe Gaeckle Gets Out Of Jam

Arkansas 0, KSU 0 | Top First

First Team All-SEC pitcher Gabe Gaeckle worked around an infield bunt Dee Kennedy hit as Arkansas a walk to Seth Dardar to escape the first inning after recording the first two outs of the inning quickly.

Gaeckle stranded both runners after inducing a flyout. 

Arkansas Pitcher Gabe Gaeckle Is On The Mound, K-State Is At The Plate

Let's play ball. 

First Pitch Of Arkansas vs. Kansas State Coming Up 

We're moments away from this one getting started!

Arkansas vs. KSU Baseball Umpires Tonight 

  • HP:    John Brammer
  • 1B:    Chris Coskey
  • 2B:    Jon Wolfe
  • 3B:    Mike Morris

Arkansas Baseball vs. Kansas State Lineups

Kansas State: 

  1. Donte Lewis, lf, R
  2. Micah Dean, cf, R
  3. Dee Kennedy, 3b, R
  4. Seth Dardar, dh, L
  5. Nick English, rf, R
  6. Maximus Martin, ss, R
  7. Bear Madliak, c, R
  8. Shintaro Inoue, 2b, L
  9. David Bishop, 1b, R

Jacob Frost, p, L

Arkansas:

  1. Charles Davalan, lf, L
  2. Wehiwa Aloy, ss, R
  3. Brent Iredale, 3b, R
  4. Kuhio Aloy, dh, R
  5. Rocco Peppi, 1b, R
  6. Kendall Diggs, rf, L
  7. Ryder Helfrick, c, R
  8. Nolan Souza, 2b, L
  9. Justin Thomas Jr., cf, R

Gabe Gaeckle, p, R

Kansas State Baseball In The Middle Of 11-Game Road Trip

Kansas State won't play its first home game until March 5 against Creighton. 

Arkansas Baseball vs. K-State Now At 8:15 p.m. ET

A little more than 30 minutes away from game time. 

Arkansas Baseball vs. Kansas State All-Time

  • All-Time...........................................................Arkansas leads 31-20
  • K-State at Home..............................................................................2-0
  • K-State on the Road...................................................................17-28
  • K-State at Neutral Site ...................................................................1-2
  • Last Meeting ................................. 6/1/24 (K-State 7, Arkasas 6)
  • Current Streak...................................................................................W1

TCU Baseball Beats Michigan; Arkansas vs. KSU Coming Up

A long eighth inning may slightly push first pitch back at Globe Life, but the game is expected to start shortly after 8 p.m. ET. 

TCU based some home runs late to win 10-4. The Horned Frogs play Arkansas on Saturday and KSU on Sunday. 

Kansas State Baseball Getting Ready For The Razorbacks

Kansas State College Baseball Series Schedule

Friday, Feb. 21

Saturday, Feb. 22

Sunday, Feb. 23

Arkansas Baseball College Baseball Series Schedule

Friday, Feb. 21

Saturday, Feb. 22

Sunday, Feb. 23

Best Pitchers At The 2025 College Baseball Series

Gabe Gaeckle, Arkansas

California import Gabe Gaeckle adapted to the SEC impressively. He garnered unanimous Freshman All-American recognition with his 2.32 ERA compiled in 22 appearances out of the bullpen, during which Gaeckle struck out 57 and walked only 19. 

Gaeckle's role for the Razorbacks in 2025 will be an interesting storyline to follow early in the season. With Arkansas replacing the sensational Hagen Smith, the Razorbacks could be on the hunt for a new ace. Gaeckle might be ready to step into that role. 

-Kyle Kensing, FloBaseball Contributor

Kansas State vs. Arkansas Baseball Lineups

Arkansas

Kansas State 

Gabe Gaeckle To Start For Arkansas Baseball vs. KSU Starter Jacob Frost

Gabe Gaeckle will get the start for Arkansas today. Gaeckle earned Freshman All-American honors in 2024, debuting as a shutdown right arm in the Razorbacks bullpen. He closed out seven saves last season, part of his 42 ⅔ total innings of work. 

Gaeckle struck out 57, allowed just 26 hits, and walked only 19 batters. 

He pitched 5.0 inning against Washington State on Opening Day and allowed one hot a 3-2 win. 

Jacob Frost, meanwhile, has made two appearances and pitched 2.2 innings with four walks and four strike outs.  

Best Hitters At The 2025 College Baseball Seroes

Wehiwa Aloy, Arkansas

Following a sensational freshman season at Sacramento State in which he hit .346 and homered 14 times, Wehiwa Aloy transferred to Arkansas and proved just as effective in the SEC as he’d been in the WAC. 

Aloy matched his 2023 production of 14 round-trippers with another 14 for the Razorbacks last season. 

Rocco Peppi, Arkansas

Arkansas welcomes Fresno State transfer Rocco Peppi in 2025 after the California native shined in 2024. Peppi hit .327 for the Bulldogs, and doubled his total number of home runs from his previous two college seasons at Long Beach State, from seven to 14. 

Peppi has an opportunity to break out on the national stage with his move to Arkansas. The College Showdown provides the ideal early-season launching point. 

-Kyle Kensing, FloBaseball Contributor

Arkansas Baseball Fans Haven Taken Over Globe Life Field

It'll feel like a road game for Kansas State as Arkansas fans have shown up to Globe Life Field today for the game. 

Arkansas Baseball Roster Names to Know

Wehiwa Aloy

Following a Freshman All-American season at Sacramento State, Wehiwa Aloy transferred to Arkansas and brought a big bat with him in 2024. Aloy’s team-leading 14 home runs garnered the shortstop 2nd Team All-SEC honors. 

Aloy was also the Razorbacks’ most prolific base-stealer with seven on seven attempts, capitalizing on his knack for getting on base. Aloy put together a 31-game streak of getting board. With a fielding percentage above .960, he’s also steady defensively, making him one of the Hogs’ most well-rounded contributors. 

Gabe Gaeckle

Gabe Gaeckle earned Freshman All-American honors in 2024, debuting as a shutdown right arm in the Razorbacks bullpen. He closed out seven saves last season, part of his 42 ⅔ total innings of work. 

Gaeckle struck out 57, allowed just 26 hits, and walked only 19 batters. 

Cam Kozeal  

Second baseman and designated hitter Cam Kozeal comes to Fayetteville by way of fellow SEC power Vanderbilt. As a freshman in 2024, Kozeal batted .284 with five home runs and 28 home runs. 

BaseballAmerica describes Kozeal as being “tailored to spraying all parts with the field with drives.” He’s the publication’s No. 12-ranked prospects in the 2026 MLB draft. 

Rocco Peppi 

An All-Big West Conference honoree at Long Beach State, Rocco Peppi comes to Arkansas by way of Fresno State. Peppi hit .321 as a freshman for the LBSU Dirtbags in 2022. After very modest dips in his plate production in 2023, Peppi emerged as one of the most fearsome hitters in the Mountain West Conference last season at Fresno State with a .327 average, .602 slugging percentage and 14 home runs. 

Peppi’s pop at the plate should make hm an immediate contributor to Arkansas offensively. 

Nolan Souza 

Freshman All-SEC selection Nolan Souza is back and looking to build off of his impressive debut season. In his first campaign, Souza – an infielder and designated hitter – hit seven home runs and slugged .509. 

BaseballAmerica projects Souza as the No. 13 prospect in the 2026 MLB draft. Expect his production in 2025 to reflect the lofty expectations. 

-Kyle Kensing, FloBaseball Contributor

Kansas State Baseball Roster Names To Know

Nick English  

K-State’s top returning hitter from 2024 is catcher and outfielder Nick English. The in-state product made an impression in his freshman campaign, racking up 17 doubles in his 54 total hits. He drove in 37 and successfully stole base 11 times in 12 attempts. 

English is a potential All-Big 12 talent and an important cornerstone for the K-State offense. 

Dee Kennedy

Last season as a freshman at K-State’s former Big 12 counterpart Texas, Dee Kennedy hit four home runs in 134 at-bats and drove in 17 runs. Kennedy can play all three outfield positions – and did so in summer baseball at the California Collegiate League – as well as second base and short. 

His versatility on defense should make Kennedy an asset to the Wildcats in 2025. If he is able to bat with more consistency, Kennedy’s a potential breakout star. 

Maximus Martin

Maximus Martin was a top 100-ranked high school prospect in the 2022 graduating class, and Perfect Game’s 16th-ranked shortstop heading into Rutgers. He spent one season with the Scarlet Knights before playing the 2024 campaign at Georgia State, where he hit .297 and produced an on-base percentage of .430 for the Panthers. 

Martin flashes a dependable glove at short, helping turn 18 double plays for GSU. His ability to get on base also makes him a high-potential lead-off hitter for K-State’s revamped batting order. 

Keegan O’Connor    

Catcher and outfielder Keegan O'Connor was absolutely dominant at Quinnipiac, earning 1st Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2023 and 2024. 

O'Connor hit .325, slugged .557, homered 11 hits, and approached a 1.000 OPS in his 2024 with the Bobcats. In 2023, he knocked 13 homers and hit .342 while again floating right around 1.000 OPS. If O'Connor's big bat translates to the Big 12, K-State will have a new sensation to help propel it to the top of the conference. 

Cole Wisenbaker 

Cole Wisenbaker was excellent coming out of the K-State bullpen in 2024. In 22 appearances, he threw 33 ⅔ innings, maintaining a 2.67 ERA with 29 strikeouts. 

The 6-foot-3 lefty finished with a 1.69 ERA and made a save during his three outings in the past summer’s Cape Cod League. 

-Kyle Kensing, FloBaseball Contributor

When Is Kansas State vs. Arkansas Baseball First Pitch?

The game is scheduled to start ay 8 p.m. ET. The first pitch could be delayed, however, based on the 4 p.m. game between Arkansas.

How To Watch KSU vs. Arkansas Baseball

The game is streaming live on FloCollege, FloBaseball and the FloSports app. 

Complete 2025 College Baseball Showdown Schedule

All Times Eastern

Friday, Feb. 14

Saturday, Feb. 15

Sunday, Feb. 16

Friday, Feb. 21

Saturday, Feb. 22

Sunday, Feb. 23

Wednesday, Feb. 26

Friday, Feb. 28

Saturday, March 1

Sunday, March 2

What Teams Are Playing In the 2025 College Baseball Showdown?

Here's a list of every team playing in the Shriners Children's College Baseball Showdown:

  • University of Arizona
  • Auburn University
  • Baylor University
  • Clemson University
  • Ohio State University
  • Kansas State University
  • Oklahoma State University
  • Oregon State University
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Texas
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Arkansas
  • University of Mississippi
  • Texas Christian University
  • Louisiana State University (mid-week)
  • Dallas Baptist University (mid-week)

Teams playing mid-week games not live on FloBaseball:

  • Texas State University
  • University of Texas - Arlington
  • Wichita State University
  • Abilene Christian University

Where Is The College Baseball Showdown?

The Shriners Children's College Showdown, followed by the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series presented by Kubota will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, pitting some of the NCAA’s best teams against each other.

The 2025 season will mark the fifth year in a row that the showdown has been held in Arlington.

When Is The College Baseball Showdown?

The first week of the showdown, the Shriners Children's College Showdown, will begin on Friday, Feb. 14, and will run through Feb. 16. The following two weeks of action, the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series, will run from Feb. 21 to March 2. During the time of these two events, a number of weekday games will also be played. Those matches will take place between Feb. 18 to March 5.

All three weeks of action will be streamed live on FloCollege and FloBaseball.

How To Stream The 2025 College Baseball Showdown

All three weeks of baseball played in the Shriners Children's College Showdown and Amegy Bank College Baseball Series will be streamed live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. Replays and match highlights will also be on both platforms. 

FloBaseball Archived Footage

Video footage from FloBaseball events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloBaseball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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