Gold glove

Arkansas sophomore Robert Moore won a Gold Glove Award on Wednesday as the best second baseman in Division I college baseball as selected by Rawlings and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

He is the first Razorback to win a Gold Glove Award, which was first awarded at the college level in 2007. Other finalists at second base were Matt McDermott of Coastal Carolina and Mario Camilletti of Central Michigan.

Moore was fielding .992 entering Wednesday’s game against Ole Miss, with 2 errors in 163 attempts and a hand in 46 double plays.

In a lengthy post on his Twitter page, Moore thanked several teammates and coaches for their help. Among those he singled out were first baseman Peyton Stovall, third baseman Cayden Wallace and shortstop Jalen Battles.

“This is just as much Peyton, Jalen and Cayden’s award as it is mine,” Moore wrote.

“So very deserving!” Arkansas assistant coach Nate Thompson tweeted Wednesday of Moore’s award. “So many plus defenders on this team. Special group of defenders.”

Moore’s great fielding has been on display throughout the College World Series. He made the No. 9 play on ESPN SportsCenter’s list Saturday when he fielded a ball on the opposite side of second base and threw across his body to record an out at first base. On Tuesday, he began a 4-6-3 double play that ended an 11-1 victory over Auburn.

Arkansas pitcher Connor Noland was a finalist for a Gold Glove, which went to Iowa’s Ben Beutel.

Noland and Moore were named All-SEC defenders by league coaches. Baseball America rates Moore the second-best second baseman available in this year’s MLB Draft behind Texas Tech’s Jace Jung.

Three former Razorbacks have won nine Gold Gloves in the major leagues — pitcher Dallas Keuchel (2014-16, 2018, 2021), catcher Tom Pagnozzi (1991-92, 1994) and left fielder Andrew Benintendi (2021).