#5 Arkansas Faces SEC Road Test at Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. – No. 5 Arkansas (30-7, 11-4 SEC) embarks on its third SEC road series of the season this weekend, squaring off against Eastern Division foe Georgia (20-17, 4-11 SEC) at Foley Field for the first time since 2018.
First pitch in the opener between the Razorbacks and Bulldogs is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT Thursday, April 20, on SEC Network with John Schriffen (play-by-play) and David Dellucci (analyst) on the call. Games two and three of the series will stream on SEC Network+ at 5 p.m. CT Friday, April 21, and 1 p.m. CT Saturday, April 22, respectively.
Arkansas, off to an 11-4 start in SEC play for the third consecutive season, is seeking its first regular-season weekend series win in Athens since 2015. The Razorbacks and Bulldogs last clashed during the regular season in 2021, when the Razorbacks won a three-game series played at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Schedule
Thursday, April 20
#5 Arkansas at Georgia – 6 p.m. CT – SEC Network – Listen – Live Stats
Friday, April 21
#5 Arkansas at Georgia – 5 p.m. CT – SEC Network+ – Listen – Live Stats
Saturday, April 22
#5 Arkansas at Georgia – 1 p.m. CT – SEC Network+ – Listen – Live Stats
On the Mound
Thursday, April 20
Arkansas LHP Hunter Hollan (6-1, 2.81 ERA) vs. Georgia RHP Kolten Smith (1-1, 4.80 ERA)
Friday, April 21
Arkansas TBA vs. Georgia LHP Charlie Goldstein (1-1, 5.67 ERA)
Saturday, April 22
Arkansas TBA vs. Georgia LHP Liam Sullivan (4-2, 4.14 ERA)
Tune In
John Schriffen (play-by-play) and David Dellucci (analyst) will have the call of Thursday night’s game on SEC Network. Matt Stewart (play-by-play) and Jason Jacobs (analyst) will handle Friday and Saturday’s ballgame on SEC Network+.
The series can also be heard on the Razorback Sports Network from Learfield, including locally in Fayetteville on 92.1 FM or through the Razorback app, with Phil Elson on the call. A full list of radio affiliates is available here.
Series History
Arkansas is 37-25 all-time against Georgia, including a 13-15 record in games played in Athens. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks are 24-17 overall and 9-8 on the road against the Bulldogs.
Since 2012, Arkansas has dominated the head-to-head series with wins in 17 of its last 25 games against Georgia, including road series victories in 2013 and 2015. The Hogs, however, have never swept a three-game series in Athens.
Road Hogs
The Hogs are looking to secure their second SEC road series win of the season this weekend. Arkansas has recorded multiple road series wins in league play in three consecutive years, including all five during the historic 2021 campaign.
2019 (3)
Alabama
Auburn
Kentucky
2020
N/A
2021 (5)
Mississippi State
Ole Miss
South Carolina
LSU
Tennessee
2022 (2)
Missouri
Auburn
Hunter & Hagen
Arkansas left-handers Hunter Hollan and Hagen Smith have been named to the watch list for the National Pitcher of the Year Award.
Arkansas is the only SEC program and one of just eight schools with multiple pitchers on the watch list for the award, which will be presented later this year by the College Baseball Foundation. Razorback legend Kevin Kopps won the 2021 award in addition to claiming the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy as the best player in college baseball.
Hollan, the Hogs’ Friday starter, is 6-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 48 innings across nine starts on the mound this season. He has logged a team-leading four quality starts, including three against SEC opponents, this year.
In SEC play, Hollan’s numbers are equally as impressive. The Hallsville, Texas, native, in his first season at Arkansas after transferring from San Jacinto College, boasts a 3-1 record with a 3.29 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 27 1/3 innings of work.
Smith began the season as a starter before shifting to the bullpen due to injuries. As the Hogs’ wild card, he has posted a 5-1 record with a team-leading 2.79 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings across 10 appearances, including five starts. Smith has recorded two saves and limited opposing hitters to a minuscule .191 batting average on the year.
The Bullard, Texas, native is 2-1 with a 4.19 ERA in SEC play, racking up 31 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings of work across five appearances, including one start. Both of his saves this season have come against SEC opponents.
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).
