Diamond Hogs shut down Kentucky again, win first SEC series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas baseball team assembled a complete team win Friday night at Baum-Walker Stadium, using timely hitting and a quality start from freshman pitcher Hagen Smith to down the Kentucky Wildcats 9-3 and win their first Southeastern Conference series of the season.

Smith tossed six innings for the third time in five starts, recording his third quality start and team-leading fourth win. He surrendered five hits and three earned runs to go along with three walks and seven strikeouts.

The lefty had no shortage of run support, as the Razorbacks struck early and often. With two outs in the first inning, graduates Michael Turner and Chris Lanzilli reached base on a double and a walk, respectively, before scoring on junior second baseman Robert Moore’s double, which marked his fifth RBI in as many at-bats on the weekend.

The Wildcats scratched back in the top of the second with four singles and two runs to level the score, but the deadlock did not last long. Senior center fielder Braydon Webb launched a solo home run into the left field bullpen to put the Hogs back on top, and freshman first baseman Peyton Stovall hit a two-out, two-run bomb to center field, stretching the lead to three runs.

Senior shortstop Jalen Battles recorded yet another two-out knock in the third, scoring Lanzilli from second on a hot shot to third base. In the fourth, the Hogs picked up a pair of unearned runs, walking twice with the bases loaded after a fielding error with two outs.

Kentucky brought the deficit back to five runs in the sixth inning on a solo homer by designated hitter Hunter Jump. Arkansas senior designated hitter Brady Slavens got the run back in the bottom of the frame with a sacrifice fly.

Senior right-handed pitcher Zebulon Vermillion took care of the last nine outs and earned a save for the Hogs, retiring nine straight hitters after walking the first one he faced.

The Razorbacks will go for the sweep of the Wildcats at noon Sunday. Sophomore right-hander Jaxon Wiggins will get the ball for Arkansas against a starter to be announced for Kentucky, and the game will stream live on the SEC Network+.