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Arkansas baseball: 3 important tasks for Dave Van Horn this offseason

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Arkansas baseball: 3 important tasks for Dave Van Horn this offseason


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas baseball head coach Dave Van Horn is already thinking about the future.

The Razorbacks (44-16) watched their season come to an end Sunday in a 6-3 loss to Southeast Missouri State in the Fayetteville Regional. Arkansas was ranked No. 1 in the country for nearly half the season, but the Hogs weren’t even one of the top two teams in their own regional.

A long offseason is ahead, and here are the three biggest tasks Dave Van Horn and his coaching staff must accomplish in the next year.

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Develop the bats already with Arkansas baseball

Shortstop Wehiwa Aloy is the only everyday starter from this year’s team projected to return in 2025. After hitting .270 with a team-high 14 home runs and 56 RBIs, he should slot into the heart of the lineup next year.

It’s imperative that hitting coach Nate Thompson maximizes other returnees who are already on the roster. The most notable names in this category are freshmen Ryder Helfrick and Nolan Souza.

More: COLUMN: Arkansas baseball has a postseason problem, and Dave Van Horn has a year to fix it

More: Arkansas baseball: What went wrong in Fayetteville region for Razorbacks

Helfrick arrived in Fayetteville with plenty of hype, but he couldn’t find consistency at the plate and finished the year with a .179 batting average and just eight RBIs. Souza got scorching hot midway through the season and early in the SEC slate, but he fell off a cliff down thme stretch recording just one hit in May.

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Helfrick needs to be the starting catcher, and Souza must join Aloy in the middle of the batting order. Get those two rolling, and Van Horn will already have a core group of hitters to build around.

Any other in-house growth would be a bonus. Jayson Jones was the starting left fielder on opening day, but he never got going. Will Edmunson lacked the hitting juice to carve out a meaningful role while Reese Robinett redshirted. Can freshman Kade Smith become a contributor?

Maximizing the pieces already inside the program needs to be the primary focus. This year, Arkansas had just two everyday starters who began their college careers in Fayetteville. Perhaps the reliance on transfers is a reason the offense has struggled so mightily in back-to-back seasons.

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An open competition for the weekend rotation

It was obvious from the beginning of the fall that Hagen Smith, Brady Tygart and Mason Molina would be the weekend starters for Arkansas in 2024. All three of those arms are likely leaving the program this offseason.

Who replaces them in the rotation will be a key storyline. Rising sophomore Gabe Gaeckle figures to be a starter, but the other two spots are wide open. Ben Bybee made seven starts this spring, but he finished with a 5.83 ERA. Gage Wood moved into the rotation late in the year and faired well, while freshmen Colin Fisher and Hunter Dietz both dealt with injuries.

Those five names figure to be the leading candidates, but there are only three spots in the weekend rotation, and there could be some other competitors on the way.

Land (at least) three big fish in the transfer portal

Aloy, Molina and Hudson White were the headliners of the 2023 transfer class. Arkansas needs three more stars this offseason.

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The Hogs will undoubtedly target two more bats, but there’s a case for trying to get three with how many starting spots are up for grabs. Bats are the top priority, but Van Horn and pitching coach Matt Hobbs will surely try and find another pitcher who can compete for a starting role.



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Northwest Arkansas waste district merger talks make progress with agreement on executive committee size | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Northwest Arkansas waste district merger talks make progress with agreement on executive committee size | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


Copyright © 2026, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. (NWA Media)

All rights reserved.

This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC

Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2026, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.

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Arkansas Lottery Cash 3, Cash 4 winning numbers for July 12, 2026

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The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Sunday, July 12, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 12 drawing

Evening: 7-0-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 12 drawing

Evening: 5-3-0-9

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from July 12 drawing

07-12-15-26-35

Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 12 drawing

12-21-39-46-48, Bonus: 02

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
  • Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
  • Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
  • Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
  • Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
  • Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
  • LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Arkansas officials react to death of Sen. Lindsey Graham

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Arkansas officials react to death of Sen. Lindsey Graham


JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said. He was 71.

Hours later, another statement from Graham’s office said the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia’s preliminary findings are the senator died of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. That is an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of Graham’s arteries.

Arkansas officials released statements following the death of Graham.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders released the following statement:

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“Bryan and I are sending our deepest sympathies to the people of South Carolina as they mourn the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. He was a veteran, a longtime public servant, and a leading voice on foreign relations, but I remember him most for his partnership during the fight to get Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Working on the White House team, we needed allies like Senator Graham who would fight hard for what they knew was right, and it was thanks to his forcefulness that we were able to get Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation over the finish line. America has lost one of its finest Senators, and my prayers are with Senator Graham’s family, staff, colleagues in the U.S. Senate, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Attorney General Tim Griffin posted on Facebook:

“Lindsey Graham will long be remembered as a stalwart of the U.S. Senate. His legacy is that of a problem solver and a passionate advocate for our national security. He understood America’s leadership role in the world and helped craft policies that supported that role. In addition to his 23 years in the U.S. Senate, he also served his country with distinction as a JAG officer in the United States Air Force for 33 years. Rest in peace, Senator Graham. A grateful nation thanks you for your service.”

Fellow Sen. John Boozman posted on X:

“The sudden passing of my friend and colleague Lindsey Graham is an incredible loss for the Senate, his beloved South Carolina and our country. Public service, whether in the Air Force or in Congress, was his life’s work. We were fortunate to serve with such a fierce advocate for American leadership through both diplomacy and a strong military. Cathy and I are heartbroken and join all those praying for his family, friends and staff as we mourn a dear friend and patriot.”

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Sen. Tom Cotton also posted on X:

“Lindsey Graham was an American original. A truly self-made man, he lost his parents at an early age and cared for his younger sister. That same sense of responsibility and duty took him into the Air Force and the Congress. Lindsey was a great champion for our military, our troops, and our national security. A lover of liberty and a true patriot, Lindsey never stopped working on behalf of South Carolina and America. His premature death is a tragedy for all those who knew him. Anna and I join all Arkansans in extending our deepest condolences to Lindsey’s family and friends.”

To report a typo or correction, please click here.

Copyright 2026 KAIT. All rights reserved.



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