Smith starts off strong again, but Diggs delivers game-winner

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Kendall Diggs’ three-run home run in the eighth inning backed up Hagen Smith’s 10-strikeout performance on the mound, as No. 1 Arkansas (21-3, 6-1 SEC) fended off No. 8 LSU (20-7, 2-5 SEC), 7-4, in a thrilling series-opening win Thursday night at Baum-Walker Stadium.

With their win Thursday night, the Razorbacks improved to 6-1 in SEC play, representing their fifth 6-1 start or better in SEC play under head coach Dave Van Horn, as well as their second 6-1 start in SEC play in the last three seasons.

Smith was once again superb on the mound for the Hogs, logging his team-leading fifth quality start of the season with six innings of two-run ball. The junior left-hander struck out 10, his fifth double-digit strikeout game of the year.

For the season, Smith, who earned the win, is now 5-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 35.0 innings over seven starts. The Bullard, Texas, native has allowed just six runs on 16 hits, including four home runs, and 10 walks.

Arkansas provided its ace with early run support, thanks to Ben McLaughlin’s sac fly in the third. LSU took its only lead of the evening with a pair of runs in the fourth inning on back-to-back homers off Smith, the only runs he allowed all game.

The Razorbacks, however, responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame to retake the lead. Jack Wagner’s solo shot tied the game at two before Peyton Stovall’s two-out RBI single put Arkansas back in front, 3-2.

Smith departed the ballgame with the lead and passed the ball off to Will McEntire for the seventh, who turned in 2.2 relief innings. The veteran right-hander struck out eight and allowed two runs on four hits and a pair of walks.

LSU would cut its deficit to one in the top of the eighth inning, setting the table for Diggs’ homer heroics in the bottom half of the frame. The junior outfielder swatted a three-run home run, the 21st homer and seventh three-run shot of his collegiate career, to extend the Razorbacks’ advantage to 7-3.

The Tigers scored one in the top of the ninth to make it a three-run game, but the Hogs’ bullpen would prevail. McEntire recorded two outs in the top of the ninth before turning the ball over to left-hander Stone Hewlett for the final out.

Will McEntire (Craven Whitlow / HitThatLine.com)

Hewlett struck out the only batter he faced, recording his first save of the season and fifth of his career in the process.

The Razorbacks will go for their fourth weekend series win in their last five tries against Tigers in tomorrow’s night showdown. First pitch inside Baum-Walker Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, March 29, on the SEC Network.

Information from Arkansas Sports Communications is included in this story.