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

Razorbacks finish open series-opening win over LSU on Kendall Diggs’ big homer after another strong start by Hagen Smith.

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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.

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2024 Razorbacks Football

Thu, Aug 29vs UAPB (Little Rock)W, 70-0
Sat, Sep 7@ Oklahoma StateL, 31-39 2OT
Sat, Sep 14vs UABW, 37-27
Sat, Sep 21@ AuburnW, 24-14
Sat, Sep 28vs Texas A&M (Arl)L, 21-17
Sat, Oct 5vs TennesseeW, 19-14
Sat, Oct 19vs LSUL, 34-10
Sat, Oct 26@ Mississippi StateW, 58-25
Sat, Nov 2vs Ole MissL, 63-31
Sat, Nov 16vs Texas11:00 AM
ABC
Sat, Nov 23vs Louisiana Tech3:00 PM
ESPN+/SECN+
Sat, Nov 30@ Missouri2:30 or 3:30 PM
TBA
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2024 High School Rankings

Following is the Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Poll including the Overall Top 10, the top five in Classes 7A, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A, plus the top three in the 8-man division, as voted by a panel of sports media from around the state for the week ending August 24. Ranking is given with first-place votes received, records, total points and ranking from last week's poll:
OVERALLRecordPtsPrv
1.Bryant (19)9-02711
2.Conway (7)9-02522
3.Greenwood (2)9-02213
4.Little Rock Parkview8-11804
5.Bentonville6-31575
6.Benton8-11386
7.Fayetteville7-21057
8.Pulaski Academy7-2978
9.Rogers6-3389
10.Mountain Home8-129
Others receiving votes: Joe T Robinson 12, Elkins 7, LR Catholic 7, Shiloh Christian 7, Valley View 7, Cabot 6, Marion 4, LR Christian 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Bryant (21)9-01331
2.Conway (7)9-01192
3.Bentonville6-3783
4.Fayetteville7-2504
5.Pulaski Academy7-2335
Others receiving votes: Rogers 7.
CLASS 6A
1.Greenwood (28)9-01401
2.Benton8-11122
3.Mountain Home8-1775
4.Shiloh Christian6-3353
5.Little Rock Catholic8-128
Others receiving votes: Marion 24.
CLASS 5A
1.Little Rock Parkview (27)8-11391
2.Joe T. Robinson8-11022
3.Valley View (1)9-0943
4.Farmington8-1435
5.Hot Springs Lakeside7-2214
Others receiving votes: Camden Fairview 8, Harding Academy 8, Morrilton 3, Vilonia 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Elkins (18)9-01291
2.Little Rock Mills (4)9-0753
3.Arkadelphia (3)7-2712
4.Warren7-2594
5.Malvern (3)9-0485
Others receiving votes: Dardanelle 18, Southside Batesville 13, Mena 6, Highland 1.
CLASS 3A
1.Bismarck (11)9-01081
Fordyce (11)9-01082
3.Osceola (3)7-1654
4.Prescott (2)8-1603
5.Booneville (1)8-1275
Others receiving votes: Mansfield 20, Rivercrest 20, Charleston 4, Rison 9, Mayflower 3.
CLASS 2A
1.Carlisle (24)9-01351
2.Conway Christian (3)9-01102
3.Bigelow (1)7-2724
4.Murfreesboro7-2535
5.Des Arc7-2283
Others receiving votes: East Poinsett County 8, Marked Tree 4, Cross County 3, Poyen 3, Junction City 2, Mount Ida 2.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Strong-Huttig (27)5-0831
2.Midland (1)8-0542
3.Cedar Ridge8-1273
Others receiving votes: Woodlawn 4.

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ESPN ARKANSAS 99.5 IN FAYETTEVILLE, 95.3 IN THE RIVER VALLEY, 96.3 IN HOT SPRINGS, 104.3 IN HARRISON-MOUNTAIN HOME.