Hogs get 4 on freshman, defensive teams

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas did not land a representative on the first- or second-unit All-SEC baseball teams voted on by league coaches and released by the league office Monday.

Pitchers Hagen Smith and Brady Tygart were selected for the All-Freshman team, while pitcher Connor Noland and second baseman Robert Moore were chosen to the SEC All-Defensive team.

Tennessee dominated the selections and the individual awards, with Tony Vitello named Coach of the Year, Chase Dollander voted as Pitcher of the Year and Drew Beam chosen as Freshman of the Year.

The No. 1 Volunteers placed Dollander, third baseman Trey Lipscomb and outfielder Drew Gilbert on the first team, and Beam and pitcher Chase Burns on the second team.

Auburn first baseman Sonny DiChiara and LSU outfielder Dylan Crews were chosen as SEC co-players of the year.

Vitello, already selected as the national coach of the year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game, led Tennessee to it best regular season ever. The Volunteers ran away with the SEC overall crown at 25-5, posted a 49-7 record and were a unanimous national No. 1 for seven consecutive weeks heading into the postseason for Vitello, the former Arkansas assistant coach.

Smith, a left-hander from Bullard, Texas, had been in Arkansas rotation all season until last week. He’ll carry a 6-2 record and 4.93 ERA into the postseason. Tygart, from Hernando, Miss., emerged as the Razorbacks’ closer early in the season. He sports a 2-3 record and 2.12 ERA.

Moore, of Leawood, Kan., committed 1 error in 203 chances and has a .995 fielding percentage.

Noland, of Greenwood, was flawless in 12 chances for a 1.000 fielding percentage.