PREVIEW: Bears Hit the Road for Midweek Series at No.4 Arkansas

Tuesday, March 17

Fayetteville, Ark.

5:00 p.m. MDT

University of Northern Colorado

Arkansas

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3/16/2026 10:45:00 AM | Baseball

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado baseball heads back on the road this week, beginning with a two-game midweek series in Fayetteville, Arkansas against No. four Arkansas starting Tuesday, March 17. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. MDT on Tuesday and 2 p.m. MDT on Wednesday.

LAST TIMEOUT: The Bears split its conference-opening doubleheader with St. Thomas on Saturday at Jackson Field, falling 8–5 in the first game before earning a 9–4 victory in game two. In game one, the Bears collected 12 hits but were unable to overcome a late surge from the Tommies. Ethan Mooser delivered an RBI triple during a two-run second inning to give UNC an early lead, while Zeke Minic and Logan Pruski each hit home runs in the sixth to tie the game at 4–4. St. Thomas regained control late with runs in the seventh and ninth to secure the win. UNC responded in game two with 15 hits to secure its first conference win of the season. Minic launched a two-run home run and Mason Griffin added a solo shot, while Brett Barber drove in three runs. Jake Storey struck out eight over 6.2 innings before Lucas Stone earned the win in relief and Brady Hudson closed out the victory.

NOTES ABOUT THE BEARS: Northern Colorado has been led offensively by Zeke Minic, who is batting .423 with 22 hits, four doubles, two home runs, and a team-best .615 slugging percentage. Logan Pruski ranks second on the team with a .359 average and leads the Bears with 28 hits and 14 RBIs, while Jaden Stone has contributed 26 hits, 16 runs scored, and a .415 on-base percentage. Jake Bullard has added power in the lineup with seven doubles and a .425 slugging percentage, and Ethan Mooser has driven in 12 RBIs with six doubles and a .452 slugging percentage. As a team, the Bears are hitting .281 with 193 hits, 31 doubles, eight home runs, and 94 RBIs through 21 games.

SCOUTING THE RAZORBACKS: Arkansas enters the matchup with one of the most productive offenses in the country, hitting .285 as a team with 189 hits, 35 doubles and 24 home runs through 20 games. The lineup is led by Camden Kozeal (.320, 6 HR, 23 RBI) and Ryder Helfrick (.324, 5 HR, 14 RBI), while Maika Niu (.308) and Kuhio Aloy (.304, 19 RBI) provide consistent production throughout the middle of the order. On the mound, Arkansas owns a 3.03 team ERA with 215 strikeouts in 175 innings. Colin Fisher (1.95 ERA, 36 strikeouts) and Gabe Gaeckle (2.73 ERA, 31 strikeouts) headline the starting rotation, while Steele Eaves has been dominant in relief with a 0.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings.

ON DECK: Following the midweek matchup, the Bears will travel to Omaha, Nebraska to resume conference play with a three-game series against the Mavericks starting on Friday, March 20.

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