Smith Named NCBWA National Pitcher of the Month

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas ace Hagen Smith has been named the Dick Howser Trophy National Pitcher of the Month for March by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

The Razorbacks’ junior left-hander posted a perfect 5-0 record with a minuscule 0.96 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 28.0 innings of work across five starts on the mound in the month of March. Smith allowed just three runs on 12 hits and seven walks while racking up 53 strikeouts and limiting opposing hitters to a meager .129 batting average.

Smith logged four quality starts and four double-digit strikeout games during the month. The Bullard, Texas, native was also part of two combined shutouts, including the Razorbacks’ 1-0 win on the road at then-No. 23 Auburn on March 21.

For the season, Smith is 6-0 with a 1.76 ERA and 83 strikeouts to just 14 walks in 41.0 innings across eight starts on the mound. He has totaled five quality starts and five double-digit strikeout games while allowing only eight runs all year.

As of April 8, Smith leads the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (18.2) and is ranked third nationally in strikeouts (83). He is also ranked first in the SEC and fifth nationally in both hits allowed per nine innings (4.4) and WHIP (0.83).

Smith is the first Razorback to be named the NCBWA National Pitcher of the Month since Kevin Kopps accomplished the feat twice during his historic 2021 campaign. Kopps earned the NCBWA’s national pitcher of the month honor for both April and May before becoming Arkansas’ second Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy winner.

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