SCHEDULED GAME TIME: Friday, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Baum-Walker Stadium (11,531) in Fayetteville
2023 RECORDS: Arkansas 43-18; JMU 31-25
COACHES: Arkansas: Dave Van Horn — 839-441 in 22nd season at Arkansas and 1,159-600 in 30th season overall in Division I; JMU: Marlin Ikenberry — 184-184 in ninth season at JMU and 466-491-1 in 20th season overall.
SERIES: First meeting
RADIO: Razorback Sports Network can be accessed through local FM and AM affiliates, via the Arkansas Razorbacks Gameday app, via the TuneIn app, via the Varsity Network app or on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Blackouts may apply.
RADIO ANNOUNCERS: Phil Elson (play-by-play) and Bubba Carpenter (analyst)
TELEVISION: The game will be streamed by SEC Network+. It can be accessed on WatchESPN.com and via the ESPN app (carrier login required).
TV ANNOUNCERS: Brett Dolan (play-by-play) and Troy Eklund (analyst)
GAME 1 PITCHING MATCHUP: Arkansas LHP Hagen Smith (8-2, 3.64 ERA, 1.38 WHIP in 71 2/3 innings in 2023) vs. James Madison RHP Todd Mozoki (1-4, 4.89 ERA, 1.63 WHIP in 57 innings in 2023)
FORECAST: According to the National Weather Service, Friday will be increasingly cloudy in Fayetteville with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. The temperature is forecast to reach 57 degrees in the morning but will fall to around 44 degrees by the afternoon. North winds could gust to 25 mph.
WHAT TO KNOW
• Friday's game is the season opener for both teams and the beginning of a four-game series that also includes games scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and Monday at noon.
• James Madison went 31-25 overall and 15-13 last season in its first season competing as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Dukes are predicted to finish 10th in the 14-team league this season.
• JMU outfielder Fenwick Trimble is a preseason pick for All-Sun Belt Conference. Trimble batted .342 with 13 home runs, 22 doubles and 52 RBI last season.
• Arkansas will be without second baseman Peyton Stovall to begin the season after he suffered a broken foot during a Feb. 5 scrimmage. Stovall's recovery time was listed 4 to 6 weeks from the time of the injury, which did not require surgery.
• Arkansas is expected to start Peyton Holt at second base. Holt also filled in for Stovall late last season when Stovall had a torn labrum. Holt is expected to move to third base when Stovall returns to the lineup. Utility infielder Jared Sprague-Lott, a transfer from Richmond, is likely to start at third base to begin the season.
• Jared Sprague-Lott is one of five transfers who are expected to be in the starting lineup as they make their Razorback debuts. Other transfers expected to start are catcher Hudson White (Texas Tech), shortstop Wehiwa Aloy (Sacramento State), center fielder Ty Wilmsmeyer (Missouri) and first baseman/designated hitter Jack Wagner (Tarleton State).
• Arkansas starting pitcher Hagen Smith was a consensus All-American last season and was listed on all major preseason All-America teams. Smith, who is projected to be a first-round MLB Draft pick in July, is Baseball America's preseason SEC pitcher of the year.
• Arkansas is ranked No. 4 in the USA Today Baseball Coaches Poll. The Razorbacks received nine first-place votes by SEC coaches to win the league.
• The Bulldog flight demonstration team from Pine Bluff will perform a flyover pregame that will include seven RV-8 aircraft from the World War II era. Many of the pilots have military backgrounds and will fly from center field toward home plate in a 'V' formation.