LSU holds a 3-0 advantage over Arkansas in the top of the fifth inning during both teams’ debut at the 2025 College World Series. Reliever Gabe Gaeckle is on the mound for the Razorbacks, aiming to wrap up the inning without allowing further damage. From a performance standpoint, he’s focused on keeping things under control.
However, Gaeckle’s cleats told a different story. ESPN’s Chris Burke pointed out that the pitcher’s shoes showed clear signs of heavy wear. Midway through an at-bat, the worn-out shoelaces became a noticeable issue, causing a brief interruption in the game.
During the delay, an Arkansas assistant coach walked out to the mound and requested help from the grounds crew to tend to the field. Meanwhile, Gabe Gaeckle headed to the dugout to grab a fresh pair of shoelaces, addressing the unexpected gear issue mid-game.
It seems like no College World Series in Omaha is complete without at least one bizarre moment, and this year’s edition already has its first. A brief stoppage in play caused by a shoelace mishap added an early dose of unpredictability to the tournament.
It didn’t take long for Gabe Gaeckle to return to the mound, and once play resumed, it was as if the shoelace incident never happened. The brief delay may end up being just a lighthearted footnote when players and fans look back on the game.
For Arkansas, however, the focus has turned to climbing back into the contest. Shutting down LSU’s offense in the later innings is now a top priority. Allowing the Tigers to extend their three-run lead could make a comeback nearly impossible particularly with a pitcher like Kade Anderson dealing on the mound for LSU.
At some point, Arkansas will have to find a way to generate traffic on the bases. With runs at a premium and innings slipping away, the urgency to manufacture offense is growing if the Razorbacks hope to mount a comeback.
As for Gabe Gaeckle, his presence on the mound came after a shaky start from Arkansas’ Game 1 starter, Zach Root. Head coach Dave Van Horn had full confidence in Root entering the game, as did Razorback fans. But after Root struggled early, Van Horn made the call to the bullpen, turning to Gaeckle in hopes of stabilizing things against a potent LSU lineup.
Van Horn called on Gabe Gaeckle in a high-pressure moment, knowing Arkansas didn’t just need scoreless innings they needed stability and length to preserve the bullpen for the rest of the tournament. It was a pivotal decision aimed at keeping the Razorbacks within striking distance.
So far, Gaeckle has answered the call, delivering a strong outing to give Arkansas a fighting chance. He may need to give the team even more before the night is over, but his performance has already been a crucial lift. Even with the unusual shoelace delay, Gaeckle has proven to be a steadying force when the Razorbacks needed it most.
Leave a Reply