Hagen Smith Strikes Out 17 In Masterful Outing Against Oregon State
Image credit: Hagen Smith (33) Arkansas Razorbacks vs Oregon State Beavers in a non-conference NCAA baseball game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on Friday, February 23, 2024 (Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos)
Arkansas lefthander Hagen Smith on Friday was simply electric on the big league stage of Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. Facing No. 4 Oregon State, he struck out 17 batters in six innings.
Smith matched the Arkansas program record for strikeouts in a single game. Jess Todd struck out 17 batters in a 2007 game against South Carolina. Smith’s 17 strikeouts also set a single-game record for Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020.
While Smith left with a 4-0 lead, the Beavers rallied to tie the game with two runs in the seventh and a two-run home run in the eighth from first baseman Mason Guerra. Arkansas snatched the lead back in the bottom of the inning, however, on an RBI triple from second baseman Peyton Holt. While Oregon State got the tying run to third base in the ninth, the Beavers couldn’t bring him in and the No. 3 Razorbacks (4-1) held on for a thrilling 5-4 victory.
Smith held the Beavers (5-1) to three hits and a walk and recorded all but one out via strikeout. He was also remarkably efficient for striking out so many batters and threw 78 pitches in six innings.
Smith’s start came on the heels of a tough Opening Day for the Preseason All-American. In his start last Friday against James Madison, he was lifted after throwing 42 pitches in the first inning. He struck out two but gave up three runs on two walks and a hit. Smith is now 0-0, 3.85 with 19 strikeouts in seven innings this season.
Smith had no trouble with his command Friday in Arlington. He ran his fastball up to 99 mph and liberally mixed in a ferocious slider, aggressively throwing it against lefthanded and righthanded hitters. Smith also got the better of Preseason All-American Travis Bazzana, the Beavers’ leadoff hitter and a candidate to be a top-five draft pick in July. He struck out Bazzana in all three of the showdowns.
Smith’s 17 strikeouts are the most in a game so far this season and also match the most in a game last year. Charlotte’s Wyatt Hudepohl struck out 17 last March against Old Dominion and LSU’s Ty Floyd struck out 17 against Florida in the first game of the College World Series finals.
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