Hogs, Dawgs Square Off in Starkville
STARKVILLE, Miss. – No. 6 Arkansas (33-12, 14-7 SEC) goes on the road to square off against Mississippi State (24-20, 6-15 SEC) with hopes of locking up back-to-back series wins in Starkville for only the second time in school history.
First pitch in the series opener between the two SEC Western Division foes is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Dudy Noble Field on SEC Network+. Game two is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 6, on ESPN2, while the third and final game of the weekend series will get underway at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 7, on SEC Network+.
The Hogs have won three straight regular-season series against the Bulldogs, including a three-game sweep in Starkville in 2021. Arkansas last won consecutive road series against Mississippi State during the 2010 and 2012 campaigns.
Schedule
Friday, May 5
#6 Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – 6 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Listen – Live Stats
Saturday, May 6
#6 Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – 6 p.m. – ESPN2 – Listen – Live Stats
Sunday, May 7
#6 Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – 1 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Listen – Live Stats
On the Mound
Friday, May 5
Arkansas – LHP Hagen Smith (6-1, 2.64 ERA)
Mississippi State – RHP Cade Smith (1-1, 5.54 ERA)
Saturday, May 6
Arkansas – TBA
Mississippi State – TBA
Sunday, May 7
Arkansas – TBA
Mississippi State – TBA
Tune In
Mike Ferrin (play-by-play) and Lance Cormier (analyst) will have the call of Saturday’s game on ESPN2. Bart Gregory (play-by-play) and Charlie Winfield (analyst), meanwhile, will handle Friday and Sunday’s broadcasts on SEC Network+.
The entire 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 54-57 all-time against Mississippi State, including a 19-29 record in games played in Starkville. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Hogs are 33-28 overall with a 13-14 record on the road against the Bulldogs since 2003.
The Razorbacks, 8-1 in their last nine games against the Bulldogs, have won three straight series against Mississippi State, including a road sweep in 2021. Arkansas has not won consecutive series in Starkville since 2010 and 2012 and will be looking to pick up its fourth straight series win against Mississippi State for only the second time in program history.
Machine of Consistency
Under head coach Dave Van Horn, Arkansas has started 14-7 or better in league play for four consecutive seasons. It is the best stretch of starting 14-7 or better in SEC play since LSU did it from 1989-92.
2019: 15-6 start / 20-10 final SEC
2020: N/A
2021: 15-6 start / 22-8 final SEC record
2022: 14-7 start / 18-12 final SEC record
2023: 14-7 start / TBD
With at least two wins this weekend, the Razorbacks would move to 16-8 or better through 24 games in SEC play for the fourth straight season.
Hagen on the Hill
Arkansas pitcher Hagen Smith will get the start in Friday night’s series opener against Mississippi State. The left-hander was the Razorbacks’ No. 1 starter to begin the year but transitioned to a “wild card” role due to early-season injuries.
For the year, Smith has made 12 appearances with six starts, including two in SEC play. He is 6-1 with a team-leading 2.64 ERA and two saves over 47 2/3 innings of work on the mound. The true sophomore has struck out a team-high 71 batters and limited opposing hitters to a meager .187 batting average.
Smith’s two previous SEC starts this season have also come on the road. In his last SEC start, Smith spun five innings of two-run ball at Georgia on April 22, matching his season high with eight strikeouts in the outing.
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).
