Not Much Ugly in Razorbacks' Cold Opening-Day Victory

Slow start, better finish for Hogs in first game behind transfer third baseman

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas's opening game of the season wasn’t always easy for Dave Van Horn’s  team early, but they took care of business in game one against James Madison.

There wasn’t much to overreact to during the win except for the first 30 minutes or so. A bold prediction from D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers was almost a curse if baseball ended after just one-half inning. 

Preseason SEC pitcher of the year and All-American Hagen Smith tossed 43 pitches in the first inning. The Bullard, Texas, native was far from the ace all are accustomed to seeing while surrendering a 3-run bomb in to Fenwick Trimble.

The Dukes couldn’t muster much more offense after the first. Will McEntire and Gage Wood limited them to one run through the final eight innings as the Razorbacks cruised to a 6-4 victory.

Arkansas Razorbacks third baseman Jared Sprague-Lott delivering a homer in the Hogs' season-opening 6-4 win over James Madison on Friday at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark :: Campbell Roberson / Arkansas Communications

MVP of Opening Day

A few newcomers showed out during their initial starts with the Razorbacks. Jared Sprague-Lott received a start at third with Peyton Holt moving to second following Peyton Stovall’s broken foot. The Richmond transfer likely would’ve watched opening day from the dugout had an injury not reshuffled the lineup.

Out of the eight hole, Sprague-Lott went 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBI’s and was issued two walks.

Holt Wired Different

There’s not much to say about the Greenwood native except how he seems to be automatic. Holt brought in a run, scored one himself and earned a four-pitch walk. He gets on base like clockwork and limits fielding mistakes. Having him return for his senior year will end up paying off.

Brought That Wood

The sophomore from Batesville picked up right where he left off. One of the best closers as a freshman, Wood faced eight batters in 2 and 1/3 innings, striking out four and allowing only one hit. An impressive performance on 36 pitches.

Texas Tech transfer catcher Hudson White added how impressed he is with his Friday closer.

“That’s Gage Wood,” White said. [He has] a eally good fastball, really good offspeed.”

So, About That Rocky Start…

There’s really not a lot to take away from the start of this game. Van Horn probably expects more from his ace but he wasn’t aided by much. The dropping temperature, rain and gusty winds were hard to adapt to at the mound. Smith’s performance in game one will more than likely be the outlier in an All-American campaign.

The Razorbacks’ skipper chopped it up to weather related struggles from Smith.

"I don't think it was first-game jitters," Van Horn said of Smith's start. "I'm sure the cold affected him a little bit. The game is funny. It's so fragile."

McEntire mentioned it being an adjustment pitching in much cooler weather than it’s been recently.

“It’s kinda tough,” McEntire said. “You can’t really feel your hands like you would when it’s warmer.”

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