Arkansas to Host Central Arkansas in Baseball Exhibition

The two teams will face off in a nine-inning matchup at Baum-Walker Stadium on October 23.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Baseball

Arkansas to Host Central Arkansas in Baseball Exhibition

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Arkansas hosts Central Arkansas for an exhibition baseball game on October 23 at 3 p.m. at Baum-Walker Stadium. This contest features outfielder Zeb Allen facing his former team for the first time since his transfer.

Why it matters

The game allows Arkansas coaches to evaluate younger pitchers while front-line arms rest, while Central Arkansas benefits from playing in a high-quality Division I environment. Both coaching staffs intend to rotate multiple pitchers throughout the nine-inning exhibition to assess depth.

Outfielder Zeb Allen recorded a .306 career batting average, 30 career home runs, and 45 stolen bases during his tenure at Central Arkansas. The exhibition game tickets are currently priced between $17 and $27 for attendees at the stadium.

The players

Zeb Allen

He is an Arkansas outfielder who transferred from Central Arkansas and previously set a program record with 30 career home runs there.

Ned Frutchey

He is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Arkansas baseball team in the upcoming exhibition.

Nick Harlan

He serves as the head coach for Central Arkansas and reached out to coordinate this exhibition opportunity.

Manny Marin

He is a member of the Arkansas roster who is currently sidelined with a quadricep injury.

The details

Central Arkansas coach Nick Harlan initiated the scheduling of this meeting after the two programs established a pattern of annual midweek games starting in 2021. Arkansas enters the contest following an 8-5 exhibition win over Dallas Baptist, while Manny Marin will remain sidelined for the matchup due to a quadricep injury.

The exhibition game is scheduled for October 23, 2026, at 3 p.m.
The two programs began playing as annual midweek opponents in 2021.
Arkansas and Central Arkansas are set to play a regular season game on April 6.

Season Trajectory

This exhibition game serves to deepen the competitive relationship between the two schools following the precedent of their annual midweek series that began in 2021. It provides a critical developmental window for roster players ahead of their scheduled regular season meeting on April 6.

Fans attending the exhibition at Baum-Walker Stadium can expect a rotation of multiple relief pitchers as coaches prioritize evaluating their deep pitching roster. Ticket holders should be prepared for a standard nine-inning format rather than the alternate lengths sometimes seen in fall ball.

The takeaway

This exhibition provides a strategic opportunity for coaches to test their bullpen depth before the regular season begins in the spring. Attendees should view this match as a developmental tool for younger players rather than a final assessment of the starting roster.