The Arkansas Razorbacks lost their first game of the College World Series 4-1 against the LSU Tigers. A bright spot in the defeat was the performance from the sophomore right-hander Gabe Gaeckle.
In the second inning, LSU had built up a 3-0 lead and knocked Arkansas’ starting pitcher Zach Root out of the game.
The 1 2/3 innings Root pitched tied it for the shortest start in his career.
This left pressure on Gaeckle to have an extended appearance on the mound to keep Arkansas right in the game.
The right-hander delivered. In six innings of work, Gaeckle had 10 strikeouts, which was a career high.
He gave up only three hits. The one earned run he allowed came in the eighth inning. Prior to that, the right-hander pitched five scoreless innings and kept the Razorbacks in the game.
Dave Van Horn and Jay Johnson Applaud Gaeckle’s Performance Postgame
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn talked about the good pitching he saw from Gaeckle during his outing at Charles Schwab Field on Saturday.
“He pitched great,” Van Horn said about Gaeckle. “He did everything that we were hoping he would do. He gave us a chance to chip away and get back in it.”
LSU head coach Jay Johnson also applauded Gaeckle for his great outing after the Tigers defeated Arkansas.
“Gabe [Gaeckle] made it tough on us,” Johnson said. “He is one of the best pitchers in the country. He’s got an electric arm.”
Up Next
Arkansas is now facing elimination as another loss will knock them out of the College World Series.
Their next game is an elimination matchup against the Murray State Racers at Charles Schwab Field. That game is scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m. EDT.
The game can be watched on ESPN.
