FAYETTEVILLE — In a surprising turn, Colin Fisher has established himself as a vital part of the Arkansas Razorbacks’ weekend rotation for the 2026 baseball season. The junior left-handed pitcher dominated in his latest outing, throwing a one-hitter to lead the No. 5 Razorbacks (6-1) to an 11-0 victory over Xavier (2-5) on February 22, 2026. Fisher struck out 11 batters during the game, completing it in just 86 pitches, marking his first career complete game thanks to the Razorbacks’ offensive prowess enforcing the mercy rule.
Fisher reflected on his performance, saying, “I felt great just warming up and everything. The warm-up pitches felt really good.” He noted that although he had his cutter available, he relied on the effectiveness of his other pitches, thanks to the strategy called by junior catcher Ryder Helfrick. Helfrick described catching Fisher’s game as akin to “MLB The Show,” emphasizing how easy it was to work with him, given his control and precision.
Through two starts this season, Fisher’s statistics are remarkable. He holds a record of 1-0 with an impressive 0.00 ERA, having struck out a total of 18 batters while allowing just two walks across 13 innings. Despite his strong performance, he was unable to secure a win during the opening weekend against Texas Tech, where Arkansas squandered a late lead, which overshadowed Fisher’s five shutout innings.
Fisher’s journey has not been without challenges. After a promising start as a freshman, he faced a season-ending elbow injury that hampered his progress. Returning in 2025, he struggled to regain his previous form, entering the current season with a career ERA of 4.49. According to Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn, Fisher’s resurgence this spring is primarily attributed to improved health rather than changes in pitch velocity or technique. “He was hurt,” Van Horn explained. “He had surgery, and, you know, he was our Tuesday starter as a freshman for the most part, and then it kind of started fading, and we knew something was going on.”
Fisher acknowledged that concerns over his arm last season affected his mechanics, but being healthy has renewed his confidence. He noted, “Last year wasn’t really where I wanted to be. But this fall, I started pitching pretty well, carried it over to the spring, and I was just thankful that I was able to get the opportunity.”
The Razorbacks’ weekend rotation initially seemed set with pitchers Gabe Gaeckle, Hunter Dietz, and Cole Gibler. However, Fisher’s outstanding performance in winter scrimmages earned him the Sunday starting role, allowing Van Horn to shift Gibler to the bullpen. Gibler had a successful stint there in 2025, and the coaching staff hopes to utilize him in late-inning situations this spring.
Fisher’s impressive start not only solidifies his place in the rotation but also boosts his confidence moving forward. As the season progresses, he looks poised to continue making significant contributions to the Razorbacks’ success. It appears unlikely that Fisher will relinquish his spot in the weekend rotation anytime soon, as he aims to build on this promising beginning.
The Arkansas baseball community eagerly anticipates Fisher’s next performance, as his journey from injury recovery to becoming a key player exemplifies resilience and determination.
