Arkansas No. 2 in Perfect Game preseason poll

Diamond Hogs look for return to Omaha in 2024

From the University of Arkansas

arkansasrazorbacks.com

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas checked in at No. 2 in Perfect Game’s top-25 rankings, the first preseason poll of 2024.

The Razorbacks are ranked behind only No. 1 Wake Forest by Perfect Game. Reigning national champion No. 3 LSU, last year’s national runner- up No. 4 Florida, No. 5 TCU, No. 6 Vanderbilt, No. 7 Texas A& M, No. 8 Texas, No. 9 Oregon State and No. 10 Virginia round out the top 10,

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with the SEC boasting a nation-leading eight programs in the preseason poll.

The No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks won’t sneak up on anyone with a fresh stock of contributing portal arrivals and stud junior bats Kendall Diggs and Peyton Stovall returning and ace LHP Hagen Smith anchoring the rotation.

Perfect Game is the first of college baseball’s five major national polls, including D1Baseball, Baseball America, USA Today Coaches and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, to release rankings ahead of the 2024 season.

Arkansas, led by head coach Dave Van Horn, begins its 2024 campaign with a four-game series against James Madison inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch on Opening Day is set for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.

Smith named Perfect Game Preseason All-American

Starting pitcher Hagen Smith has been named a preseason first-team All-American by Perfect Game.

The left-hander is the first Razorback pitcher to be named a preseason firstteam All-American by Perfect Game since Zach Jackson earned preseason first-team All-America recognition as a relief pitcher in 2016. Smith is also the first Hog to earn Perfect Game preseason first-team All-America honors as a starting pitcher since Ryne Stanek in 2013.

Smith jumped around in terms of role a little bit for the Hogs in 2023, as Smith figures to be Arkansas’ biggest weapon on the mound in 2024. It’s electric from the left side with an upper-90s fastball and a wipeout breaking ball. The walks got a little high last year but in terms of competitiveness and overall stuff, Smith ranks among the best in the nation.

Smith, a consensus All-American in 2023, made 18 appearances with 11 starts on the mound during his outstanding sophomore campaign, posting an 8-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, a team-leading 109 strikeouts and two saves in 71 2/3 innings of work. The Bullard, Texas, native limited opposing hitters to a .217 batting average on the year.

In SEC play, Smith worked in a variety of roles, making 11 appearances with five starts, and compiled a 5-1 record with a 3.07 ERA. He totaled 65 strikeouts over 44 innings and held opposing hitters to a .201 batting average.

A semifinalist for last year’s Golden Spikes Award as well as the College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year Award, he became Arkansas’ first starting pitcher to earn first-team All-SEC honors since Ryne Stanek in 2013.

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