Hogs, Dawgs Square Off in Starkville

STARKVILLE, Miss. – No. 6 Arkansas (33-12, 14-7 SEC) goes on the highway to sq. off in opposition to Mississippi State (24-20, 6-15 SEC) with hopes of locking up back-to-back collection wins in Starkville for under the second time at school historical past.

First pitch within the collection opener between the 2 SEC Western Division foes is scheduled for six p.m. Friday, Might 5, at Dudy Noble Area on SEC Community+. Sport two is slated to start at 6 p.m. Saturday, Might 6, on ESPN2, whereas the third and closing recreation of the weekend collection will get underway at 1 p.m. Sunday, Might 7, on SEC Community+.

The Hogs have received three straight regular-season collection in opposition to the Bulldogs, together with a three-game sweep in Starkville in 2021. Arkansas final received consecutive highway collection in opposition to Mississippi State throughout the 2010 and 2012 campaigns.

Schedule
Friday, Might 5
#6 Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – 6 p.m. – SEC Community+ – Hear – Stay Stats

Saturday, Might 6
#6 Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – 6 p.m. – ESPN2 – Hear – Stay Stats

Sunday, Might 7
#6 Arkansas vs. Mississippi State – 1 p.m. – SEC Community+ – Hear – Stay Stats

On the Mound
Friday, Might 5
Arkansas – LHP Hagen Smith (6-1, 2.64 ERA)
Mississippi State – RHP Cade Smith (1-1, 5.54 ERA)

Saturday, Might 6
Arkansas – TBA
Mississippi State – TBA

Sunday, Might 7
Arkansas – TBA
Mississippi State – TBA

Tune In
Mike Ferrin (play-by-play) and Lance Cormier (analyst) could have the decision of Saturday’s recreation on ESPN2. Bart Gregory (play-by-play) and Charlie Winfield (analyst), in the meantime, will deal with Friday and Sunday’s broadcasts on SEC Community+.

All the collection will also be heard on the Razorback Sports activities Community from Learfield, together with regionally in Fayetteville on 92.1 FM or by way of the Razorback app, with Phil Elson on the decision. A full record of radio associates is accessible right here.

Collection Historical past
Arkansas is 54-57 all-time in opposition to Mississippi State, together with a 19-29 file in video games performed in Starkville. Underneath head coach Dave Van Horn, the Hogs are 33-28 total with a 13-14 file on the highway in opposition to the Bulldogs since 2003.

The Razorbacks, 8-1 of their final 9 video games in opposition to the Bulldogs, have received three straight collection in opposition to Mississippi State, together with a highway sweep in 2021. Arkansas has not received consecutive collection in Starkville since 2010 and 2012 and might be seeking to decide up its fourth straight collection win in opposition to Mississippi State for under the second time in program historical past.

Machine of Consistency
Underneath head coach Dave Van Horn, Arkansas has began 14-7 or higher in league play for 4 consecutive seasons. It’s the greatest stretch of beginning 14-7 or higher in SEC play since LSU did it from 1989-92.

2019: 15-6 begin / 20-10 closing SEC
2020: N/A
2021: 15-6 begin / 22-8 closing SEC file
2022: 14-7 begin / 18-12 closing SEC file
2023: 14-7 begin / TBD

With at the very least two wins this weekend, the Razorbacks would transfer to 16-8 or higher by way of 24 video games in SEC play for the fourth straight season.

Hagen on the Hill
Arkansas pitcher Hagen Smith will get the beginning in Friday night time’s collection opener in opposition to Mississippi State. The left-hander was the Razorbacks’ No. 1 starter to start the yr however transitioned to a “wild card” position on account of early-season accidents.

For the yr, Smith has made 12 appearances with six begins, together with two in SEC play. He’s 6-1 with a team-leading 2.64 ERA and two saves over 47 2/3 innings of labor on the mound. The true sophomore has struck out a team-high 71 batters and restricted opposing hitters to a meager .187 batting common.

Smith’s two earlier SEC begins this season have additionally come on the highway. In his final SEC begin, Smith spun 5 innings of two-run ball at Georgia on April 22, matching his season excessive with eight strikeouts within the outing.

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