How did Hogs Fare in SEC Postseason Awards?

Was share of SEC crown enough to get Dave Van Horn votes needed to take Coach of the Year honors?

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Following a season where he held the Razorback baseball team with glue and duct tape while leading them to a No. 2 ranking and a share of the SEC championship, Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn has been named SEC Coach of the Year for a third time.

The SEC championship was Van Horn's fourth in 21 seasons as the Razorbacks' skipper, and the second in the last three years. Arkansas also won its seventh SEC Western Division crown under Van Horn and fourth since 2018.

He most recently won the award in 2021 after leading Arkansas on a monster season highlighted by a near wire-to-wire run at No. 1 throughout the regular season, SEC Tournament and regionals. Van Horn also won the award in 2004, making him one of three active coaches, along with Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin (3) and Florida’s Kevin O’Sullivan (3), to be named at least three times.

In addition to Van Horn's honors, the coaches voted Hagen Smith to the All-SEC first-team selection as a starting pitcher, while also assigning All-Defensive honors. Kendall Diggs picked up second-team recognition as a designated hitter, while pitcher Gage Wood and outfielder Tavian Josenberger garnered Freshman All-SEC and All-Defensive honors.

Smith is the first Arkansas starter since Ryne Stanek in 2013 to be named to the first team. The left-hander inherited the role of No. 1 starter following a season ending injury to Jaxon Wiggins just prior to the season. Injuries again forced an adjustment by Smith, moving him into a “wild card” role at the start of SEC play after injuries to the staff piled up. With the return of sophomore Brady Tygart to the line-up, Smith has finally been able to settle back into the No. 1 spot full time. 

Smith made 15 appearances with nine starts, including five in SEC play. He was able to put together an 8-1 record and two saves over 63 1/3 innings while also leading the team with a 2.56 ERA. He also leads the Razorbacks with 93 strikeouts while holding hitters to a .191 batting. Those numbers are a big reason why Smith is also a semifinalist for the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award.

Diggs, meanwhile, led the team with 41 walks and 56 RBI, which puts his average over a run driven in per game. He also has 10 home runs to go with a .314 batting average. 

As for Wood, the freshman is 2-0 with a 3.81 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 28 1/3 innings. He also leads the team with five saves, all of which have come in SEC play. Wood the fourth freshman pitcher since Van Horn's first season in 2003 to record at least five saves in a season.

Josenberger, a converted infielder, was able to earn All-Defensive recognition as an outfielder despite his limited experience. He posted a perfect fielding percentage in 116 opportunities as the Hogs’ everyday centerfielder while recording a team-high seven outfield assists while helping turn five double plays.

Smith also secured a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team alongside Josenberger. The Razorbacks’ ace has not committed an error on the mound this season and limited opposing base runners to just two steals.

(Razorback Communications contributed to this story.) 

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