CWS-bound Arkansas adds first portal transfer in Little Rock pitcher Jackson Wells

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – On a day when the Arkansas baseball program left for the College World Series, it also added its first transfer portal addition for next season.

Little Rock right handed pitcher and Rogers native Jackson Wells (5-11, 200) announced via his social media Wednesday his commitment to be a Razorback next season.

The highlight of Wells’ career was his 2023 sophomore season in which he was named an All American and the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year while leading the nation in Earned Run Average.

Wells’ 1.65 ERA edged LSU ace Paul Skenes 1.69 during that campaign during a season in which he fanned 80 in 93 innings.

Wells started 46 of the 47 career games he appeared in for Little Rock while striking out 245 batters and walking 105 in 244 1/3 innings.

He leaves Little Rock as top 10 in several categories – fourth in starts (46), sixth in victories (15), seventh in innings pitched (224 1/3) and eighth in strikeouts (245).

Wells was 3-8 this past season with a 5.36 ERA and 97 strikeouts and 35 walks in a team-leading 87 1/3 innings on the mound.

Wells was was part of a Little Rock team that pushed LSU to game seven of the Baton Rouge Regional before falling.

Wells started against LSU in game one while going five innings and allowing three runs on seven hits, fanning three and walking three.

He helped lead Rogers to the 2021 Class 6A state championship and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year.

Wells begin his college career at Arkansas-Rich Mountain in Mena.

Photo courtesy of Little Rock Athletics