Hagen Smith, Gage Wood Combine to Pitch 4-1 Razorbacks Past South Carolina

Hogs get big jump in critical series to help seeding for NCAA

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
May 12, 2023 10:30 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas didn't need the long ball in the series-opener against South Carolina. They used some key hits and pulled out a methodical 4-1 win over the Gamecocks in a game between a pair of Top 10 teams.

This series may provide a leg up to be one of the top eight seeds for the NCAA Tournament, putting them in position to host a Super Regional matchup. They can thank starter Hagen Smith who didn't let the Gamecocks get a fast start and Gage Wood finished it strong, not giving up anything and striking out the last two batters.

"Just a pitchers' duel, honestly, " Hogs coach Dave Van Horn said later. Not having to go deep in the bullpen also is something that can help Saturday and Sunday. "That's huge."

The win gives the Razorbacks a 37-12 record (18-7 in SEC) and a fast start to the final home regular-season series of the season.

The game had a blazing fast start with Smith and South Carolina starter Eli Jones and the Hogs' infield again turning a quick double play to end the first after walking the first two batters. They went through the first two innings in less than 30 minutes.

After the Gamecocks didn't get a baserunner in the third, Peyton Holt led off the bottom half with a line shot down the first baseline for a double. Tavian Josenberger worked a two-out walk, then Kendal Diggs drove home the first run of the game. Jace Bohrofen couldn't do anything with a pair of runners on base, but the Hogs did get a 1-0 lead.

South Carolina tied the game in the sixth, sending Smith out after throwing 94 pitches over 5.2 innings, giving up four hits, walking three and striking out seven. He left a couple of runners on base for Gage Wood and he got the Hogs out of the inning with a ground-out to third that Caleb Cali knocked down and completed the long throw, leaving the game tied, 1-1.

The Hogs answered with a walk by Bohrofen and a single from Ben McLaughlin that moved Bohrofen to third and he scored on Cali's double-play grounder. That gave the Hogs a 2-1 lead for Wood headed into the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Hogs started getting some separation. Holt drew a leadoff walk, then got to third after a single from John Bolton was followed with a two-out RBI by Diggs for a 4-1 lead as the Gamecocks are now into their bullpen with Cade Austin replacing Jones on the mound.

Wood gave up a lone single in the top of the eighth and struck out the last two hitters.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Hogs managed to get Holt to third after a walk and a single by Rowland's line shot the Gamecocks' second baseman climbed a ladder to grab to send it to the ninth with a 4-1 lead.