LIVE UPDATES: Former Hog Returned to Baum for Arkansas vs Oklahoma State Exhibition

Jayson Jones, Gabe Gaeckle, Arkansas baseball, Arkansas vs Oklahoma State
photo credit: OSU Athletics / Baumology

FAYETTEVILLE — A familiar face was back at Baum-Walker Stadium for the Arkansas vs Oklahoma State exhibition series.

Jayson Jones, who played for the Razorbacks the last two seasons before entering the transfer portal this summer, landed in Stillwater, Okla., and is batted fifth for the Cowboys for Game 1 on Friday night.

While he’s in the midst of a battle for the starting job at third base, Jones is starting as one of two designated hitters for Oklahoma State. It wouldn’t be surprising if he got some work at the hot corner at some point this weekend, though.

“I think some of the guys have obviously stayed in touch with him,” Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn said about Jones on Thursday. “I think he’s battling for that third base spot over there. I don’t know if he’s their starter, I don’t know his situation, but he’s at Oklahoma State. Hopefully things go well for him his junior year.”

One of the highest-ranked players of the Perfect Game era to not only sign with the Razorbacks, but also make it to campus, Jones was ranked No. 35 overall in the Class of 2022.

While there were glimpses of his potential, including some big-time home runs, Jones never really caught on as a full-time starter. He even moved to the outfield last season and didn’t solidify what was a revolving door in left field.

After slashing .196/.403/.370 with two home runs and six RBIs in 46 at bats as a freshman, the Savannah, Texas, native followed it up with a sophomore campaign in which he slashed .194/.301/.403 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in 72 at bats.

Read the post gamer, go here:

~ OSU Coach’s Lofty Comment Underscores Hogs’ Stellar Pitching + More from Exhibition Win ~

Follow along below for live updates on how he does, as well as inning-by-inning updates from the scrimmage, which will not be televised or streamed…

LIVE UPDATES — Arkansas vs Oklahoma State (Game 1)

Pregame Tidbits

The only real change to Arkansas’ starting lineup from last week’s Fall Classic is JUCO transfer Justin Thomas Jr. getting the nod as the third outfielder instead of freshman Brenton Clark.

Sophomore right-hander Gabe Gaeckle is the Razorbacks’ starting pitcher. He was their closer last year, racking up 7 saves with a 2.32 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings, but is transitioning into a starting role in 2025.

Oklahoma State is countering with junior left-hander Harrison Bodendorf, a 6-foot-5 transfer from Hawaii who posted a 4.61 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings as a reliever and starter last season.

T-1st: Oklahoma State 0, Arkansas 0

  • Gaeckle came out pumping some heat, 97-98 mph, and eventually got Ortiz to swing through a 98 mph fastball down the middle for strike three. 1 out.
  • Gaeckle touched 99 mph during Schubart’s at bat, but fooled him with an off speed pitch for another strikeout. 2 outs.
  • It should have been a 1-2-3 inning, but Iredale’s throw after fielding a slow roller by Meola got by Robinett at first. It’s scored a single and E5 to move him to second, but it honestly could have been ruled just an E5, period.
    • UPDATE: They have changed the scoring to just an E5, with no hit. That’s the correct call, in our opinion.
  • The error didn’t bother Gaeckle, who got Brueggemann to chase an off speed pitch out of the zone. That’s three strikeouts for Gaeckle on 17 pitches in the first inning.

B-1st: Arkansas 0, Oklahoma State 0

  • Davalan hit a high fly ball to right-center that carried more than expected, but was easily caught by the OSU right fielder. It had an exit velocity of 100 mph. 1 out.
  • Bodendorf just grooved an 89 mph pitch right down the middle and Wehiwa Aloy smoked a line drive over the shortstop’s head for a single. It left the bat at 113 mph. The Cowboys are lucky that didn’t end up in the Hog Pen.
  • Helfrick hit a slow dribbler that forced the pitcher to come off the mound, but Bodendorf made a nice play to get him at first. It was a bang-bang play, though. It moved Aloy to second. 2 outs.
    • Aloy made a great read on a pitch in the dirt, taking third via a wild pitch.
  • That’s where he was stranded, though, as Maxwell grounded out to second to end the inning.

T-2nd: Oklahoma State 1, Arkansas 0

  • Now pitching for Arkansas: LHP Zach Root, the transfer from East Carolina.
  • Root induced a fly ball to left that Thomas had a beat on, but he dropped it. The E7 puts Jones on second.
  • The next OSU batter, Ritchie, poked a single into left for an RBI. It’ll be an unearned run for Root.
  • Daugherty followed with a somewhat slow roller to second, but Souza and Aloy made it look easy for a 4-6-3 double play. 2 outs.
  • Shull went down swinging to end the inning. Nice work by Root, who has turned in back-to-back solid outings after a rough scrimmage appearance a couple weeks ago.

B-2nd: Arkansas 4, Oklahoma State 1

  • Bodendorf is still on the mound for OSU.
  • Iredale starts the second inning with a single right back up the middle. The Australian has probably been Arkansas’ best hitter this fall.
  • In a 2-2 count, Souza smoked a line drive into right-center for a double. It had an exit velocity of 106 mph. That puts runners on second and third with no outs.
  • Kuhio Aloy took a couple of huge hacks at the first two pitches he saw before working the count full, fouling off a pitch and eventually lining a single the other way for an RBI. It had an exit velocity of 105 mph. That was some great hitting. It also puts runners on the corners.
  • Robinett follows with a 100 mph single through the right side for a go-ahead RBI. It puts runners on first and second, still no outs.
  • Thomas went down swinging for the first out of the inning. 1 out.
  • Davalan hit a slow bouncer to the right side, but it was so slow that OSU had no chance to turn a double play. The second baseman’s only play was a flip to first. That moves the runners to second and third with 2 outs.
  • Wehiwa Aloy drives in both runs by hitting a line drive by the third baseman for a two-run double in a 1-2 count. It was 110 mph off the bat. He is locked in.
  • They call the inning with two outs.

T-3rd: Arkansas 4, Oklahoma State 1

  • Root is still on the mound for Arkansas.
  • LaSalle swung through a 94 mph fastball for strike three. 1 out.
  • Thompson struck out on three pitches. Went down swinging. 2 outs.
  • Ortiz chased a pitch out of the zone for strike three. 3 outs. Excellent, excellent work for Root, who hadn’t looked great this fall in intrasquad scrimmages.

B-3rd: Arkansas 4, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Oklahoma State: RHP Noah Wech.
  • Another defensive change for the Bulldogs: Beau Sylvester is now catching.
  • Helfrick tried to bunt his way on, but fouled it off. Instead, he popped out to the third baseman. 1 out.
  • Maxwell also tried to bunt his way on, but fouled off his first pitch. He ended up striking out swinging. 2 outs.
  • Iredale fouled off three straight 2-2 pitches before hitting a chopper to third. The OSU third baseman kept backing up to try to get it on the hop, but it ate him up and got by him into left. It’s – correctly, in our opinion – ruled a double, as Iredale hustled the whole way and got to second.
  • Souza went down swinging to strand him there, though. Wech showed some good stuff for the Cowboys if he can get a handle on his control.

T-4th: Arkansas 4, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Arkansas: RHP Gage Wood, the junior from Batesville.
  • Schubart swung through a 96 mph fastball to start the inning with a strikeout. 1 out.
  • Meola made contact with the 96 mph fastball he got, but it was a fly out to right. 2 outs.
  • Wood fooled Brueggemann for strike three, getting him to chase an off speed pitch well outside the zone. That was an impressive 13-pitch inning by Wood.

B-4th: Arkansas 6, Oklahoma State 1

  • Wech is still pitching for OSU.
  • Kuhio Aloy just smoked a grounder to third. It left the bat with a 104 mph exit velocity, but the third baseman managed to knock it down, recover and throw him out at first. Nice swing, though. 1 out.
  • Robinett followed with a single up the middle. It got through the infield despite the shortstop being shifted pretty close up the middle.
  • Thomas nearly hit a home run, but it hit near the top of the wall. Robinett easily scored and Thomas slid in safely without a throw for an RBI triple. The metrics on that: 101 mph off the bat, 382 feet.
  • Davalan hit a fly ball to center that was plenty deep enough for Thomas to score, making it a sacrifice fly.
  • Wehiwa Aloy couldn’t check his swing. It’s a strikeout to end the inning.

T-5th: Arkansas 6, Oklahoma State 1

  • Wood is back out for another inning of work.
  • Jones lined out to center to start the inning. 1 out.
  • Ritchie managed to check his swing in a full count, drawing a walk. It’s the first free base of the night by either team.
  • Daugherty swung wildly at a pitch nowhere close to the zone for a strikeout. 2 outs.
  • Everyone – Wood, his teammates, the crowd – thought Shull didn’t check his swing, which would have been strike three, but the third base ump denied the appeal. Ritchie stole second without a throw on the play. Instead, Shull went down swinging on the next pitch. Nice work by Wood.

B-5th: Arkansas 6, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Oklahoma State: RHP Sean Youngerman.
  • Another defensive change for the Cowboys: Jayson Jones has moved to third base, which moves Meola to a DH spot.
  • Helfrick just looked at strike three. To be fair, TrackMan showed the pitch was outside and should have been called a ball. 1 out.
  • Maxwell swung at the first pitch he saw and crushed a line drive off the wall in right. It had a 103 mph exit velocity and resulted in a double.
  • Iredale was also first-pitch swinging and poked a single the other way, through the right side, with a 101 mph exit velocity. Maxwell tried to score from second, but LaSalle made a great throw up the line to nail him at the plate. 2 outs.
  • Souza flied out to center to end the inning.

T-6th: Arkansas 6, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Arkansas: LHP Landon Beidelschies, the Ohio State transfer.
  • Beidelshies struck out LaSalle on three straight fastballs. They were 95, 95 and 97 mph, the latter of which he swung through for a strikeout. 1 out.
  • If it works, why change? He threw three straight fastballs – all 95 mph – to strike out Thompson on three pitches. 2 outs.
  • In a full count, Ortiz lined out to center to end the inning.

B-6th: Arkansas 6, Oklahoma State 1

  • Youngerman is still on the mound for OSU.
  • Kuhio Aloy flied out to right to start the inning. 1 out.
  • In a full count, Robinett swung through a 95 mph fastball. 2 outs.
  • After smoking a 105 mph line drive foul, Thomas worked a full-count walk to give Arkansas a two-out base runner.
  • In another full count, Davalan drew a walk to put runners on first and second.
  • Wehiwa Aloy swung at two fastballs at his eyes before grounding out to short to end the inning.

T-7th: Arkansas 6, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Arkansas: LHP Cole Gibler, the freshman from Blue Springs, Mo.
  • Schubart hit a slow roller to first that Robinett easily handled himself. 1 out.
  • Meola chased a pitch in the dirt for strike three. Helfrick’s throw to first to complete the out nearly got away from him, but Robinett caught it and steped on the bag in plenty of time. That’s 14 strikeouts for Arkansas pitchers. 2 outs.
  • Gibler fooled Brueggemann for strike three to end the inning. That’s 15 strikeouts in seven innings.

B-7th: Arkansas 8, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Oklahoma State: RHP Stormy Rhodes.
  • In a full count, Helfrick drew a leadoff walk.
  • Maxwell followed with a walk of his own. That puts runners on first and second.
    • A wild pitch moved the runners up to second and third. The catcher couldn’t immediately find the ball and Helfrick had thoughts of going home, but slipped. He’s okay, though.
  • In a 1-2 count, Iredale gave it a ride – 106 mph off the bat – but it was to dead center. It was plenty deep to be a sacrifice fly, scoring Helfrick and moving Maxwell up to third.
  • Souza drives in the other run with a 102 mph single through the right side in a full count.
  • Vanderbilt transfer Cam Kozeal is pinch hitting for Kuhio Aloy. He reached via an E5. The third baseman fielded his slow chopper to third, but his throw was low and the first baseman couldn’t scoop it. There are runners on first and second, still 1 out.
    • A wild pitch moved Souza to third. Heads-up base running right there.
    • On the next pitch, Kozeal swiped second.
  • Robinett eventually struck out in a full count. That was just 2 outs, but they’re calling the inning.

T-8th: Arkansas 8, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Arkansas: RHP Carson Wiggins, the freshman and younger brother of Jaxon Wiggins.
  • Wiggins dialed up a couple of 100 mph fastballs and also touched 101 mph before getting Jones to whiff at an offspeed pitch. 1 out.
  • Ritchie hit a slow roller to shortstop and reached via an infield single.
  • Daughtery also hit a grounder to short and Aloy got the out at second, but Souza’s relay throw got by Robinett. It looked like it’d be a basic fielder’s choice, but the ball bounced back to Robinett and the runner rounded toward second and Robinett tagged him to complete the 6-4-3 double play.

B-8th: Arkansas 8, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Oklahoma State: LHP Ryan Ure, who stands 6-foot-8.
  • Thomas hit a shallow fly ball to right and the second baseman caught it. 1 out.
  • Davalan hit a pop up in foul ground and Jones made a nice running catch. 2 outs.
  • Wehiwa Aloy drew a four-pitch walk to give Arkansas a two-out base runner.
  • After hitting a 110 mph foul ball, Helfrick drew another walk.
  • DII transfer Carson Boles is pinch hitting for Maxwell. He went down swinging to end the inning.

T-9th: Arkansas 8, Oklahoma State 1

  • Now pitching for Arkansas: RHP Christian Foutch.
  • Shull looked at a 98 mph fastball for strike three. 1 out.
  • Brayden Smith is pinch hitting for LaSalle. In a full count, he swung through a 99 mph fastball. 2 outs.
  • Thompson flied out to center in an 0-2 count to end the inning.

B-9th: Arkansas 8, Oklahoma State 1

  • We are playing the bottom of the ninth, even though it’s not necessary.
  • Ure is still pitching for OSU.
  • Iredale poked a single into center to start the inning. He’s 4 for 4 today.
  • Souza hit a dribbler to third and Jones made a nice play to get him at first. The first baseman made an impressive scoop, too. It moved Iredale to second. 1 out.
    • A wild pitch moved Iredale to third.
  • Kozeal went down looking.
  • Michael Anderson is pinch hitting for Robinett. He went down swinging to end the exhibition.

FINAL – Arkansas 8, Oklahoma State 1

Starting Lineups for Arkansas vs Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State BaseballArkansas Baseball
1. Avery Ortiz – 2B1. Charles Davalan – CF
2. Nolan Schubart – LF2. Wehiwa Aloy – SS
3. Aidan Meola – 3B3. Ryder Helfrick – C
4. Colin Brueggemann – 1B4. Logan Maxwell – RF
5. Jayson Jones – DH5. Brent Iredale – 3B
6. Kollin Ritchie – CF6. Nolan Souza – 2B
7. Ian Daugherty – C7. Kuhio Aloy – DH
8. Garrett Shull – DH8. Reese Robinett – 1B
9. Donovan LaSalle – RF9. Justin Thomas Jr. – LF
10. Brock Thompson – SS
Pitching: LHP Harrison BodendorfPitching: RHP Gabe Gaeckle

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