Smith Named Preseason All-American by D1Baseball

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas starting pitcher Hagen Smith has been named a preseason first-team All-American by D1Baseball.

The left-hander is the first Razorback pitcher to be named a preseason first-team All-American by D1Baseball since Zach Jackson earned the recognition from the publication as a relief pitcher in 2016.

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, Smith was one of two starting pitchers, along with LSU’s Paul Skenes, to garner All-SEC First Team praise in 2023. He became Arkansas’ first starting pitcher to earn All-SEC First Team honors since Ryne Stanek in 2013.

Smith enters the 2024 campaign as a preseason first-team All-American by both D1Baseball and Perfect Game. Both outlets have also tabbed the Razorbacks’ ace as the SEC Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

Arkansas opens the season with a four-game series against James Madison at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch on Opening Day is set for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.

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