MLB thrives on high-pressure moments and strategic plays. While stars like Shohei Ohtani showcase remarkable base-running skills, even they don’t steal every base without challenge. Yet, in college baseball, an unexpected feat has occurred. Imagine a runner scoring from first base on a pickoff attempt without errors—sounds unbelievable, right? Enter Campbell Smithwick of the Ole Miss Rebels, who recently achieved this rare play, making headlines and turning heads in the baseball community.

The midweek game between the Rebels and Alcorn State was all about breaking records. It started with the Rebels dismantling Alcorn State by 29-1 in the NCAA Division I college baseball. With scoring a total of 29 runs, the No. 6-ranked SEC school set a new program record for runs scored in a single game, surpassing the previous record of 28 set in 1989 against Illinois College.

Well, the record-breaking stint in the game doesn’t end here. Campbell Smithwick executed an extraordinary base-running play that left spectators in awe. According to the video by MLB.com on X, Smithwick started from the first on a pickoff and completed the entire base without getting tagged or overthrown. Yes, no fielder from Alcorn State was able to tag Smithwick. It was a complete textbook-based smart move made by him.

The game started with Ole Miss quickly establishing dominance, scoring six runs in the first inning and forcing Alcorn State starter Myles Dews to leave after recording just one out. Ole Miss amassed 23 hits, including five home runs and six doubles. Key contributors included Luke Cheng, who hit two home runs and drove in five runs; Judd Utermark, with a home run and four RBIs; and Ethan Surowiec, who also homered and had four RBIs, followed by Isaac Humphrey and Campbell Smithwick.

This win was important for Ole miss, considering their tricky position in the ranking. As of now, they are ranked #6 in the SEC with a 8-4 record. With this win against Alcorn State, they are now behind Georgia by .069 OPCT. This is their 4 consecutive win.

Despite the team’s impressive performance, Campbell Smithwick’s remarkable base-running steal captured the spotlight, leaving fans and commentators buzzing about his ingenuity on the field.

Fans go gaga over Campbell Smithwick’s unbelievable steal

Fans are still wondering about when was the last time this thing happened. There was a game in 1983 between the Blue Jays and Orioles. That game witnessed something similar to this when the Orioles’ utility infielder Lenn Sakata went for a score from pickoff. Nothing after that till Smithwick made history.

While the Rebels have done something unheard of, the video also shows a comedy of errors on the field. It shows how the home plate was left unsecured by the Alcorn infielders. Smart move by Campbell Smithwick to find this gap and cover all the bases. The catcher was not there on the home plate, possibly guarding the 3rd base. However, then where did the 3rd baseman go? Hence, it is merely a mistiming from the Alcorn fielders to let Smithwick complete the running.

Let’s be honest—NCAA Division I college baseball is a serious arena where many MLB legends, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and others, began their careers. While some fans might view plays like Smithwick’s unchallenged steal as indicative of lower competition levels, the reality is that college baseball continues to grow in popularity and competitiveness. The increasing viewership and enhanced scholarship opportunities per team reflect the sport’s rising stature and the high caliber of talent it attracts.

An observant fan noted that after Smithwick reached first base, the play seemed to pause, with players momentarily relaxing. Seizing the opportunity, Smithwick sprinted all the way to home plate. Is this legal? Yes—unless the umpire calls for time, the ball remains live, allowing runners to advance at their own risk. This underscores a lapse in awareness by Alcorn State’s defense, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus until the play is officially over.

While the game witnessed a huge margin of 29-1 including the fielding errors, fans are wondering how a college baseball team could make such errors. One such fan opined about riding off the entire team and starting from scratch. The video shows how the fielders were clueless about who will secure which plate and they were just running behind the runner. However, one can expect such blunders once in a blue moon from college baseball. It’s too early to conclude on these student-athletes.

Major League Baseball is renowned for its structured play and adherence to textbook strategies. In contrast, college baseball often presents unpredictable and thrilling moments that add to its unique charm. These spontaneous plays, like Smithwick’s daring steal, showcase the raw energy and evolving skills of young athletes, offering fans a different yet equally captivating baseball experience.

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