Two keys to Arkansas Baseball’s success in 2022 have been recognized by the national media.
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper recently released their picks for the best Freshman baseball players across the country, naming Arkansas’ [autotag]Hagen Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag] Freshman All-Americans.
The 25th and 26th Freshman All-Americans in program history:@BradyTygart & @hagensmith32 pic.twitter.com/MluLMOREuO
— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) June 8, 2022
Smith, a freshman from Bullard, Texas, has appeared in 17 games this season with 14 starts. In 70.0 innings pitched this season, Smith has struck out 79 batters while walking just 42, and posting a 4.89 ERA.
Smith began the season as the Saturday starter during weekend series’, but has been used mostly out of the bullpen since May 14. Smith, who had not thrown over four innings in one outing since April 30 against Ole Miss, grabbed his first save of the season last Monday night at Oklahoma State in the Stillwater Regional championship game. Smith tossed two innings, striking out four batters and preserving the Arkansas lead, which led them to a victory.
Tygart has been a force out of the bullpen all season. Known for his pitches using elusive movement, Tygart has recorded eight saves for the Razorbacks, with 51 strikeouts and a 3.93 ERA.
Tygart’s best outing of the season came against Ole Miss on May 1, where he struck out five batters on his way to a three-inning save.
According to Arkansas communications, Smith and Tygart are the 25th and 26th players in program history to earn Freshman All-America honors. They are the first Razorbacks pitchers to do so since [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag] earned the recognition in 2019.
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