2025 College World Series: Arkansas vs. LSU delayed due to Gabe Gaeckle shoelace issue

LSU enjoys a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning against Arkansas in each team’s opening game of the 2025 College World Series. Gabe Gaeckle is on the mound out of the bullpen, trying to get into the bottom half of the inning completely clean. Well, at least from a baseball perspective.

Something that is not clean is Gaeckle’s shoes. ESPN’s Chris Burke pointed out how Gaeckle has gotten plenty of use out of the cleats he is currently sporting. Well, the shoelaces have had enough and became an issue in the middle of an at-bat.

An Arkansas assistant coach came out to the mound to ask for the grounds crew to get some work done. At the same time, Gaeckle went into the dugout to get a new pair of shoelaces. Seemingly every time in Omaha, a crazy moment occurs. This is the first of this year’s edition, having a slight delay due to a shoelace.

Before long, Gaeckle was back on the mound. Play resumed as if nothing occurred, potentially being a moment to laugh about when recalling the situation postgame.

Focus for Arkasnas has now shifted to getting back into the game. Quieting the LSU bats down the stretch is going to be critical. Letting the lead grow past three is going to be tough to overcome, especially since somebody like Kade Anderson is on the mound.

Arkansas will need to put some runners on base eventually, though. Runs are going to be a premium and time is running out to produce them.

More on Gabe Gaeckle, performance against LSU

There was never a doubt about who Dave Van Horn was going to hand the ball to for Game 1. Zach Root was going to start the game for Arkansas and everyone rooting for the Razorbacks certainly expected a good performance. Unfortunately, Root struggled and was pulled early.

Van Horn then turned to Gaeckle in a massive spot. Not only did Arkansas need to put up a few zeros but some serious length was needed to keep the bullpen in check.

Thus far, Gaeckle has done his job and made sure Arkansas can still win this game. Some more might be required out of him to eventually get the job over the finish line. Nonetheless, a great performance from Gaeckle to save his team — even if some extra time was needed to figure out his shoelaces.