Category: Arkansas baseball

Pitcher of the Game: Hagen Smith

Hagen Smith, the freshman lefty lived up to the hype and then some. He scattered five hits over six innings without yielding a run. The long, tall Texan struck out five and walked only one.

This one was a no-brainer.

Hagen Smith, the freshman lefty lived up to the hype and then some. He scattered five hits over six innings without yielding a run. The long, tall Texan struck out five and walked only one. Even more impressive than the numbers, Smith looked like he belonged out there. 

Fans will quickly fall in love with the kid’s easy, smooth delivery. He throws from a three-quarter slot, a la Chris Sale. But his delivery is far less violent than the Boston lefty’s, putting less stress on that golden left arm. Smith was a joy to watch today.

Bullpen Notes:

  • Mark Adamiak threw his first pitches of the year. He was questionable this weekend after taking a Peyton Stovall line drive off the shin last week during a scrimmage. Adamiak showed the power we expected but lacked some command, giving up 3 hits and a walk in 1 1/3 IP.
  • Evan Taylor made a nice audition for Mr. Matchup Lefty. He faced one batter, striking out Jake McCaw.
  • Heston Tole earned the rare 4-run save after entering with two runners on in the eighth inning. Tole ended up giving up a run on one hit, though he looked pretty sharp in doing so. Tole is one to watch this season. He could be a useful swingman out of the bullpen.

Sticks of the Game: Robert Moore, Cayden Wallace rake in Hogs’ win

Robert Moore, Cayden Wallace and Michael Turner had the best hitting days for the Diamond Hogs on Saturday.

The two most dangerous hitters in the Arkansas lineup gave an early glimpse on Saturday of what Diamond Hogs fans hope will be a regularity this season.

Preseason All-American Robert Moore and high-round MLB prospect Cayden Wallace did a bulk of the Razorbacks’ damage in the team’s 5-1 win over Illinois State at Baum-Walker Stadium. The win avenged the Diamond Hogs’ loss in the season opener the day before.

Accordingly, Moore, Wallace and catcher Michael Turner earned the Sticks of the Game honors for Game 2 of the series. Read more about each of their days below.

Arkansas and Illinois State play the rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m.

Hagen Smith BRILLIANT in Arkansas debut as Diamond Hogs beat Illinois State

Hagen Smith, a freshman from Texas, looked every bit the part of SEC weekend starter in his collegiate debut.

Hagen Smith was rated as the top left-handed high-school pitcher in the country last year. When it became clear the MLB draft was out of the picture, Arkansas as all too happy to receive his services.

Saturday showed why.

Smith pitched six innings of shutout ball in his collegiate debut and preseason All-American Robert Moore knocked in three runs as Arkansas bounced back from its season-opening loss to Illinois State on Saturday, 5-1.

Smith was dynamite from the word go, striking out three of the first six batters he faced, eliminating all of them. Even by the sixth, his final inning, on 77 pitches, he still retired the Redbirds in order, 1-2-3.

By that point he had already been staked to a 4-0 lead. Moore had hit a solo home run in the first and Cayden Wallace had an RBI single in the second for the early Arkansas runs. Moore blasted a two-run home double in the fifth to give the Diamond Hogs even more breathing room. Moore and Wallace each went 2 for 4 on the day with Wallace also cranking a double.

But the game belonged to the southpaw pitcher as coach Dave Van Horn completely re-organizes his weekend rotation from last year. Smith is almost assuredly going to be in it.

Kent State transfer Michael Turner had an RBI double in the eighth for Arkansas’ final run. Connor Olson singled home Illinois State’s lone run in the ninth.

Arkansas baseball vs Illinois State Game 2: How to watch, stream, listen

After dropping a heartbreaker in the opener, Arkansas seeks to bounce back Saturday against Illinois State.

Things didn’t begin the way Arkansas baseball would have wanted Friday.

The Diamond Hogs dropped their season opener for the first time in forever as Illinois State shocked the home crowd at Baum-Walker Stadium, 3-2. Saturday, though, is a new day.

Game 2 between the Redbirds and Razorbacks is scheduled to start noon.

The Diamond Hogs are ranked No. 2 in the nation by D1Baseball.com and in the Top 10 in five other polls. The Collegiate Baseball poll is the outlier as it has Arkansas ranked No. 20 in the nation..

Illinois State was picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference, a league that occasionally gets two teams in the NCAA Tournament. Dallas Baptist, a team Arkansas has seen recently in the Tournament, was a unanimous first-place selection.

Left-handed freshman Hagen Smith is set to make his debut for the Diamond Hogs. He was ranked as the No. 1 southpaw in the Class of 2021.

How to Watch

When: 12 p.m.

Where: Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville

Traditional TV: SEC Network+

Online live stream: ESPN.com/watch

For those seeking the radio broadcast of the game, you can find the complete list below. In Northwest Arkansas, KQSM 92.1 will be the broadcaster in 2022.

Arkansas radio affiliates

Batesville, KWOZ-FM, 103.3

Camden, KCXY-FM, 95.3

Crossett, KAGH-FM, 104.9

Crossett, KAGH-AM, 800

DeQueen, KDQN-FM, 92.1

DeWitt, KDEW-FM, 97.3

El Dorado, KMRX-FM, 96.1

Fayetteville, KQSM-FM, 92.1

Forrest City, KBFC-FM, 93.5

Fort Smith, KERX-FM, 95.3

Glenwood, KHGZ-FM, 98.9

Glenwood, KHGZ-AM, 670

Hot Springs, KTTG-FM, 96.3

Jonesboro, KEGI-FM, 100.5

Little Rock, KABZ-FM, 103.7

Magnolia, KZHE-FM, 100.5

Marshall, KBCN-FM, 104.3

Mena, KTTG-FM, 96.3

Mena, KENA-FM, 104.1

Monticello, KGPQ-FM, 99.9

Morrilton, KCON-FM, 99.3

Mountain Home, KOMT-FM, 93.5

Ozark, KDYN-FM, 96.7

Ozark, KDYN-AM, 1540

Searcy, KRZS-FM, 99.1

Texarkana, KKTK-AM, 1400

Wynne, KWYN-FM, 92.5

Pitcher of the Game: Illinois St 3 – Arkansas 2

Arkansas pitching handed out six free passes, hit a batter, and allowed seven base hits. The defense helped limit the damage, and pitchers were able to get out of james they created for themselves. To only allow 3 runs out of 14 baserunners is a notable accomplishment. 

A frustrating afternoon gave way to an even more frustrating evening in Fayetteville on Friday. The #2 Arkansas Razorbacks dropped their home opener for the first time since the Clinton Administration in a 3-2 loss at the hands of Illinois State. That loss, though, was not due to bad pitching.

The pitching was not great, to be sure, but it was more than good enough to win. This may be the only time for the whole year the Hogs lose after limiting their opponents to only three runs. As is so often the case, this game was lost on the margins.

Arkansas pitching handed out six free passes, hit a batter, and allowed seven base hits. The defense helped limit the damage, and pitchers were able to get out of james they created for themselves. To only allow 3 runs out of 14 baserunners is a notable accomplishment.

The game ball for pitching today goes to Gabriel Starks. The Pine Bluff native came into the game in a sticky situation. He spike his first pitch in the dirt for a WP, then came back to strikeout the Redbirds best hitter. He followed that up with another WP, only to cover home plate in time to tag out Kyle Soberano as he tried to score from third.

Starks was the only Razorback to not issue a walk, and he – along with catcher Michale Turner – turned lemons into lemonade in the ninth inning. They gave Arkansas a chance in the home half of the inning.

 

Do “Shenanigans” Belong in Baseball?

Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn sounds off on opposing teams and the “shenanigans” that happen in their dugouts.

Arkansas Baseball fans woke up Friday with Christmas-like joy, as the 2022 Razorback Baseball season is set to begin with the Illinois State Redbirds.

The temperature in Fayetteville is supposed to just graze 50 degrees, but there is no need to worry. Head Coach Dave Van Horn has brought the heat.

Earlier this week, Illinois State head coach Steve Holm said that he and his squad respects Arkansas baseball and how they respect the game of baseball. Van Horn said that he appreciated the comment from Holm, saying that “we need more of that in baseball.”

“When we play other teams, there’s a lot of shenanigans going on in the dugouts and a lot of stuff that I don’t think really has a place in baseball,” said Van Horn during his press conference Thursday. “It’s one thing to get excited and cheer for your own team, that’s part of it. But, as far as “rah rah” and getting on the other team and acting the way that some teams do. If that’s what they do, they run their own program.”

To elaborate further, Van Horn gave two examples of how teams in the SEC conduct themselves. On the positive side, he says that his team respects Florida and head coach Kevin O’Sullivan.

“An example, in our league, Florida’s good. They are like us, we respect each other,” says Van Horn. “(Kevin) O’Sullivan and I, our comments are “just play each other, we just play baseball.” There’s some teams that.. It’s a little different.”

While Van Horn is not shy about admitting his “old school” approach about respecting the game, he says he does have his limit of what he will tolerate opposing team’s antics. Once he gets to that point, he tells his team that he will turn his head and let them go at it if they want. One example was during the 2021 SEC opener against Alabama.

“That happened in conference (play) last year after the first game of the year. (Alabama was) chirpy and mouthy about how good they were.. We won the next two games.”

When it comes to setting the tone for the season, there’s no one better than Dave Van Horn.

 

Pitching Matchups for Hogs v. Redbirds

After a stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures, Old Man Winter has once again gotten comfortable in Arkansas. Temperatures will bottom out in the teens across the Ozarks this weekend. At this time of year that can only mean one thing: college baseball season is upon us. 

After a stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures, Old Man Winter has once again gotten comfortable in Arkansas. Temperatures will bottom out in the teens across the Ozarks this weekend. At this point on the calendar that can only mean one thing: college baseball season is upon us.

The Arkansas Razorbacks will host the Illinois State Redbirds for a three-game set this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Redbirds have been picked by league coaches to finish top half of the Missouri Valley Conference. Their starting first baseman, Jake McCaw, and starting centerfielder, Ryan Cermak, were both voted to the preseason all-league team. In his press conference yesterday, though, it was the Illinois State pitching staff that Arkansas’s skipper Dave Van Horn mentioned. Compared to the Hogs, DVH says ISU looks to be more settled on the mound.

You look at Illinois State, they got two of their starters back and their closer’s now their number three starter. So they know where they’re at.

You can watch Van Horn’s full Thursday press conference here.

 

Arkansas baseball vs Illinois State: How to watch, stream, listen

The first Arkansas baseball game of the season gets underway at Baum-Walker Stadium on Friday.

The wait is over.

Arkansas baseball officially begins its regular-season and march toward Omaha and the College World Series on Friday afternoon against Illinois State at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Diamond Hogs are ranked No. 2 in the nation by D1Baseball.com and in the Top 10 in five other polls. The Collegiate Baseball poll is the outlier as it has Arkansas ranked No. 20 in the nation.

SEC coaches also tabbed the Razorbacks as the favorites to win the West as the Diamond Hogs picked up five of a possible 14 first-place votes and 80 total prediction points. Ole Miss and Mississippi State each picked up four first-place votes and a total of 77 points. LSU was picked fourth in the division, but received one first-place vote.

Illinois State was picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference, a league that occasionally gets two teams in the NCAA Tournament. Dallas Baptist, a team Arkansas has seen recently in the Tournament, was a unanimous first-place selection.

Senior Connor Noland, an All-American as a freshman, is set to take the mound on opening day. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on a cold day in Fayetteville.

How to Watch

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville

Traditional TV: SEC Network+

Online live stream: ESPN.com/watch

For those seeking the radio broadcast of the game, you can find the complete list below. In Northwest Arkansas, KQSM 92.1 will be the broadcaster in 2022.

Arkansas radio affiliates

Batesville, KWOZ-FM, 103.3

Camden, KCXY-FM, 95.3

Crossett, KAGH-FM, 104.9

Crossett, KAGH-AM, 800

DeQueen, KDQN-FM, 92.1

DeWitt, KDEW-FM, 97.3

El Dorado, KMRX-FM, 96.1

Fayetteville, KQSM-FM, 92.1

Forrest City, KBFC-FM, 93.5

Fort Smith, KERX-FM, 95.3

Glenwood, KHGZ-FM, 98.9

Glenwood, KHGZ-AM, 670

Hot Springs, KTTG-FM, 96.3

Jonesboro, KEGI-FM, 100.5

Little Rock, KABZ-FM, 103.7

Magnolia, KZHE-FM, 100.5

Marshall, KBCN-FM, 104.3

Mena, KTTG-FM, 96.3

Mena, KENA-FM, 104.1

Monticello, KGPQ-FM, 99.9

Morrilton, KCON-FM, 99.3

Mountain Home, KOMT-FM, 93.5

Ozark, KDYN-FM, 96.7

Ozark, KDYN-AM, 1540

Searcy, KRZS-FM, 99.1

Texarkana, KKTK-AM, 1400

Wynne, KWYN-FM, 92.5

Golden Spikes Watchlist Includes Pair of Hogs

Two Arkansas Razorbacks have been tabbed as potential successors to their former teammate as the Golden Spikes Award winner.

Two Arkansas Razorbacks have been tabbed as potential successors to their former teammate as the Golden Spikes Award winner. Last year Kevin Kopps put up a magical year, coming from way off the board to win the “Baseball Heisman.” This year Robert Moore and Cayden Wallace will enter the season on everyone’s radars.

These two Hogs join 53 other players on the preseason watch list. As we noted earlier in the week, both are clearly among the best returning players on a Top Ten team. And both should hear their names called early in the MLB draft.

Arkansas opens its season this Friday in Fayetteville when they host Illinois State University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00pm.

A Look at the Omahogs Top Returning Everyday Players

Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, we can finally say it: Welcome to baseball season. 

Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, we can finally say it: Welcome to baseball season.

The Omahogs begin their SEC championship defense this Friday when they host Illinois State for a three-game set at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Razorbacks open the season ranked in the Top Ten in most polls. There are three groups – D1Baseball, Baseball America, USA Today Coaches – widely regarded as the best of the bunch when it comes to assessing the college baseball world. In those three the Hogs rank #2, #8, and #4, respectively.

So why do the national pundits and coaches regard this team so highly? It’s a combination of coaching, returning players, and new blood. Combine those things with the recent success the team has had under Dave Van Horn and the tradition of winning in Fayetteville, and anyone can see that it would be unwise to overlook the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Today we will take a look at the core of this team – the returning offensive firepower.