Sitting atop the pitching record books for the Arkansas baseball program is Blaine Knight. The numbers may not be the flashiest and he may not have had an earned run average battling Kevin Kopps or Phillip Stidham, but Knight’s 2018 season was nothing short of incredible.
He has one thing all other Razorback pitchers do not, a 14-0 record, the most wins without a loss in a single season in school history. Knight recorded one more win than Steve Krueger, who threw 11 complete games to a 13-0 season in 1980.
Each of Knight’s wins are interesting. They are not necessarily dominant outings with double-digit strikeouts in each win, as he received help from a potent Arkansas offense and strong fielders around him when needed, but Knight did his part on the mound.
Here is part two of the two-part series…
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Win No. 8: #21 Texas A&M (9-3)- 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 11 K
In his final home regular season win, Blaine Knight saved his best swing-and-miss stuff for the Aggies. Knight retired five of the first eight batters he faced with strikeouts and played with a four-run cushion after the first inning. He finished the game with a season-high 11 strikeouts and tied Kacey Murphy for the most in a game in 2018. He picked up his eighth win of the season against Texas A&M’s best pitchers, future major leaguer Mitchell Kilkenny and future number four overall pick Asa Lacy.
Win No. 9: #13 Georgia (8-6)- 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
The final regular season start for Knight came in Athens against Georgia. Knight allowed four runs in six innings of work, tied for the most runs allowed in a Blaine Knight victory in 2018. He only pitched with the lead in the first two innings as Georgia put up a run in each inning after Arkansas scored two in the first. Arkansas’ offense kicked into gear in the seventh with six runs, a half-inning that ended Knight’s evening with a four-run advantage. Georgia would score two more runs but Arkansas still won.
Win No. 10: #2 Florida (8-2)- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Knight faced Florida for the second time on the year, this time at 10 a.m. in the SEC Tournament. He had more success at avoiding traffic on the bases in the meeting in Gainesville earlier in the season and allowed just one run, a solo shot from future Cincinnati Red Jonathan India. After Knight exited the game, Arkansas blew things open with a pinch-hit grand slam from Hunter Wilson.
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Win No. 11: Oral Roberts (10-2)- 8 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2K
Knight got the start to open the Fayetteville Regional and he retired 16 of the 29 batters he faced with fly outs, the most in an outing in 2018. The two runs he allowed were a pair of solo shots off the bat of ORU catcher Riley Keizor. Knight pitched eight full innings before handing the ball to Cody Scroggins, who slammed the door on the Golden Eagles.
Win No. 12: South Carolina (9-3)- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Pitching in his first super regional game, Knight got Arkansas into prime position for a spot in Omaha with six innings of work. He got out of a big jam in the second inning when South Carolina scored a run but it could have been much worse. Knight allowed a pair of solo home runs later in his outing but the Arkansas offense helped keep the Gamecocks at bay.
Win No. 13: #13 Texas (11-5)- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Arkansas opened its College World Series campaign facing the Longhorns for the third time in 2018. Knight did not pitch during the Razorbacks’ midweek road trip to Austin but he did not need familiarity to keep Texas off balance as he picked up four strikeouts and 11 contact outs. A couple of runs scored off of Knight but he was able to get out of a big jam in the fifth inning before exiting the game. After Knight left, the game entered a three-hour weather delay before Arkansas took the Longhorns’ bullpen to the woodshed.
Win No. 14: #3 Oregon State (4-1)- 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
In Arkansas’ first College World Series finals game since 1979, Knight picked up his final win in a Razorback uniform. He allowed just one run but otherwise picked up outs when it mattered most, stranding runners in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. He was able to pitch his final two innings of work with a three-run lead after Arkansas took advantage of a slew of walks and hit-by-pitches. His outing inched Arkansas closer to its first national title, but Razorback fans know how that story ends.
**JOIN THE CONVERSATION WITH ARKANSAS FANS ON THE TROUGH, HAWGBEAT’S PREMIUM MESSAGE BOARD**
After last week’s winter storm, several Arkansas school districts have announced that they will remain closed or will open late on Monday because of icy road conditions in neighborhoods and secondary streets:
* Benton School District: Closed.
* Booneville School District: Closed.
* Bryant School District: Closed.
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* Cabot School District: Schools will have a 2-hour delayed start.
* Conway School District: School will start at 10 a.m. after a 2-hour delay. Snow bus routes will be in effect.
* Greenbrier School District: Closed.
* Hot Springs School District: Closed.
* Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District: Closed. District offices and departments will open.
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* Little Rock School District: Closed. However, all 12-month employees, school administration and custodians should report to work at regularly scheduled times.
* North Little Rock School District: Closed. District Central Office sites will open at 10 a.m. Monday.
* Pulaski County Special School District: Closed. District offices will be open for those who can safely report to work, including auxiliary offices. School staff who are 244-day employees will be expected to report to work as well.
* Sheridan School District: Closed.
This list is based on school district news releases and social media posts, and it is not comprehensive. For information on other Arkansas school districts, patrons are asked to consult their school’s website or district app.
While the Arkansas Razorbacks have been hitting the transfer portal hard, it is partially as a result of having more than 20 scholarship players decide to enter the portal after a 6-6 regular season that was capped off with a Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech on Dec. 27.
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The transfer portal officially opened Dec. 9 and it was open for a 30 day window through Dec. 28. There is also an additional five-day window for players to enter once their season is over, plus there will be an additional 10-day portal window from April 16-25.
ALSO READ: Arkansas Football 2025 Roster Tracker
HawgBeat provides a look at where former Razorbacks have transferred so far…
Note: “GP” denotes games played. Even if a player appears on special teams, that counts as a game played.
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OL Patrick Kutas – Ole Miss
From: Christian Brothers High School (Memphis, TN)
MEMPHIS –While Beale Street is famous for being the Home of the Blues, red was the color of the day Dec. 26 at the Beale Street Parade, where many watchers were clad in red — a team color for both teams playing in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl the following day.
Marching bands, vintage vehicles, cheer squads and floats marched, strutted and cruised down the historic street in downtown Memphis as fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders lined the streets, cheering as bands and cheer squads from their schools passed by.
The University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band, cheerleaders and pep squad brought up the rear of the parade, creating a grand finale as they marched to meet Texas Tech’s Goin’ Band from Raiderland at Beale Street’s Handy Park for a festive Bash on Beale Pep Rally. Both the parade and the pep rally were sponsored by the Beale Street Merchants Association.
— Story and photos by Cary Jenkins
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Maddie Hayley, Kim Hayley, Spphie Haley, Layne Haley, Toomy Haley, orey Hale and Abbie Hayley on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Caden, Colton, Amber and Drew Cates, all of Little Rock, on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
D.J. Stutts, Shante Stutts and DAnte Stutts of Batesville, mother and siblings of the late Razorback football team member Dion Stutts on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Aspen Coad, Mattie Grace Fortenberry, Aylin Coad, Milli Fortenberry and Mac Fortenberry on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Aspen Coad, Mattie Grace Fortenberry, Aylin Coad, Milli Fortenberry and Mac Fortenberry on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Rhett, Dana Asher and Cooper Daniel of Rogers on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Jeff Box of Memphis on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Elivs Moya, Jennifer and Hunter Yurachek on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Sue E. Pig on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Sue E. Pig on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)
Jonathan and Brittany Hays with Paxton and Brooke Kellett, all of Jonesboro. on 12/26/2024 on Beale Street, Memphis, Liberty Bowl Parade. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Cary Jenkins)