Hagen Smith excited for Arkansas to host regional, potential Super Regional

Arkansas made it to Omaha last season but had to do so the hard way. The Razorbacks played away from Fayetteville for the entire NCAA Tournament, winning the Stillwater Regional and the Chapel Hill Super Regional.

On paper, this year will be an easier path. Every game before the College World Series for Arkansas will take place at Baum-Walker Stadium. TCU, Arizona, and Santa Clara will head to the national No. 3 seed’s house this weekend, entering a gauntlet.

Star pitcher Hagen Smith described the emotion of hosting a regional and a potential Super Regional if the wins continue to stack up. Not many sets of fans in the SEC provide a better home crowd atmosphere, intimidating opposing teams.

“It’s awesome to stay here and be able to host,” Smith said during a Tuesday appearance on SEC Now. “I know our guys love staying here, playing in front of the fans. And I know the fans love coming here and watching us.”

Arkansas lost just four games at home this season, which is part of the reason why the selection committee rewarded head coach Dave Van Horn’s team. Especially considering the caliber of SEC programs to come through Fayetteville, the Hogs and their fans really showed out.

Smith described his favorite part of gameday at Baum-Walker Stadium, really soaking in the pregame atmosphere. Fans are already ready to get the party started before first pitch on Friday against Santa Clara at 2 p.m.

“I think the first thing I like doing is when I drive by to go to the parking lot, I see all the people lined up in the Hog Pen line,” Smith said. “It gets you fired up a little bit going onto the field. And then, I just think having the fans there to support you — they’re out there right now actually, waiting for the regional to start.”

Smith plays multiple different roles for Arkansas, spending time as a starter and a reliever. Van Horn has not revealed the team’s plans for the weekend quite yet. But you know Smith is going to get involved one way or another.

Once he is out there on the mound, Razorback fans will begin to feel in a good spot. Already one of the best pitchers in the country, Smith will now have the opportunity to prove it on a national stage. He will just be doing so in front of the home crowd.