Smith Named Semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas ace Hagen Smith has been named one of 68 semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, which is presented annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association to the top player in college baseball.

Given in memory of the former Florida State All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, the Dick Howser Trophy is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage.

Smith has made his case as the best pitcher in college baseball, posting a 9-0 record with a 1.65 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 71.0 innings over 13 starts. The junior left-hander, who is 7-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 54.0 innings over nine SEC starts, has a team-leading 10 quality starts and a program-record 10 double-digit strikeout games on the year.

Entering the final weekend of the regular season, the Bullard, Texas, native currently leads the country in ERA (1.65), hits allowed per nine innings (4.2) and strikeouts per nine (17.2). Smith, a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Week honoree this year, is also ranked third nationally in strikeouts (136), seventh in WHIP (0.87) and eighth in victories (9).

With Smith on the mound, Arkansas is a perfect 13-0 in games this season. Led by Smith’s dominance, the Razorbacks’ pitching staff paces the nation in hits allowed per nine innings (6.9) and strikeouts per nine innings (12.2) and is ranked second nationally in ERA (3.46), second in WHIP (1.19), third in shutouts (6) and fifth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.5).

Finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy will be announced on Thursday, June 8, before the winner is unveiled on MLB Network on Thursday, June 13. The award will be presented at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb., home of the College World Series, and a news conference with the winner will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, the opening day just prior to the first game of the 77th NCAA College World Series, in the Schwab Stadium Media Room.

Two Razorbacks – outfielder Andrew Benintendi (2015) and pitcher Kevin Kopps (2021) – have previously won the Dick Howser Trophy. Both Benintendi and Kopps also won the prestigious Golden Spikes Award in their respective years.

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