Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Baxendale rebounds after Waco loss
FAYETTEVILLE — DJ Baxendale won two games in one for Arkansas’ first game of the College World Series on Saturday in Omaha, Neb.
Not only the pitcher of record for the Razorbacks’ 8-1 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes, Baxendale (8-5) made sure the Razorbacks will have a fresh bullpen for tonight’s winner’s bracket game against the two- time defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
South Carolina defeated Florida 7-3 Saturday night setting up tonight’s game while Florida meets Kent State in a loser’s bracket game at TD Ameritrade Park today.
Baxendale threw a three-hitter with five strikeouts and one walk into the seventh inning Saturday afternoon. The junior right-hander made pumpkins of Kent State’s Cinderellas.
Posting major upsets to win the Gary (Ind.) Regional and Eugene (Ore.) Super Regional, the Golden Flashes are the Mid-American Conference’s first College World Series qualifier since 1976.
Other than Jimmy Rider’s sixthinning home run, Baxendale gave the Golden Flashes no chance to shine until a one-out single and walk in the seventh allowed Kent State its first multiple baserunners.
Reliever Brandon Moore, inheriting a 5-1 lead with the runners, ended the threat with a grounder to short and fly to center.
Moore faced the minimum six batters for the eighth and ninth innings, inducing a doubleplay after Kent State catcher David Lyon singled leading off the ninth.
With Sunday off, the Razorbacks could use Moore again if needed behind Ryne Stanek, tonight’s starter. Their other bullpen staples, righthanders Barrett Astin, Colby Suggs and Nolan Sanburn and left-hander Trent Daniel, are fresh.
No telling how many, maybe even if any, will be needed tonight behind Stanek, Arkansas’ co-ace with Baxendale, but it’s a given the Hogs will need relief in their third game behind Randall Fant.
Pitching into the fifth has been Fant’s maximum in the third-game Houston Regional and Waco Super Regional triumphs advancing Arkansas into Omaha.
Fant has been more than fine with Coach Dave Van Horn knowing Fant’s pattern and accordingly setting up the bullpen in piecemeal mode.
However, more was expected of Baxendale than not lasting through five in the Hogs’ 8-1 loss in their super regional opener to Baylor before Arkansas’ bullpen beat the Bears the next two days.
So the former Sylvan Hills star was almost as proud of his innings on Saturday as his W.
“Against Baylor I really felt like I let the team down,” Baxendale said. “To come out here at this stage and be able to get us through Game One with a victory, it was huge for not only my confidence, but I think for the team’s as well.”
The Hogs needed their sound start and fresh bullpen for what will be an All-SEC bracket should Florida eliminate Kent State today.
“The SEC is always tough,” Baxendale said Saturday before South Carolina beat Florida. “We know that going into it every year. and it’s evident this year by having three [SEC teams] in the College World Series. Whoever we face in our next game and possibly later on in the tournament, we know it’s going to be a tough game.”