By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn was impressed with his new closer after the Razorbacks wrapped up a series sweep of Troy last weekend.
Twice, he handed the ball to freshman DJ Baxendale in tight games. And twice, Baxendale showed enough confidence and poise to help Arkansas wrap up wins.
“I like the way he attacks hitters,” Van Horn said after Baxendale retired three straight in the ninth in Arkansas’ 7-6 win against the Trojans. “He gets out there with a presence about himself and he’s kind of fearless. It’s really good to see.”
Finding a replacement for departed closer Stephen Richards was one of Arkansas’ most important objectives when it opened the 2010 season last month.
After seven games, Van Horn and the Razorbacks seem to have found an early-season answer in Baxendale.
The highly recruited freshman will be back in the bullpen waiting for another save opportunity when Arkansas (6-1) opens its weekend series at California (6-1) today at 3:30 p.m. Baxendale earned the first two of his career on consecutive days against Troy, throwing three solid innings of relief.
He believes it was a confidence-building experience.
“It helped me relax and just really trust in myself, trust in my stuff a lot and not be panicked,” Baxendale said. “I became used to the crowd, used to the situation and just overall used to the added pressure of a one-run, two-run game in the ninth.”
Baxendale entered Saturday’s game in the eighth inning with Arkansas leading 10-7. He surrendered a solo home run to the second batter he faced to make it 10-8, but retired the final five to wrap up the game.
He was back on the mound in an even tighter spot Sunday afternoon. Arkansas was clinging to a 7-6 lead when Baxendale got three groundball outs in the ninth inning to clinch the series sweep for the Razorbacks.
“So far he’s shown he can come out here and shut guys down and that’s what we’re looking for,” Arkansas center fielder/pitcher Brett Eibner said. “Especially in a freshman it’s rare. It takes a lot for a freshman, mentally, to come out here and pitch.
“Hopefully he’ll keep doing it and stay in his own little box, stay grounded and stay humble and keep doing what he’s doing.”
Baxendale, who was Arkansas’ Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Sylvan Hills High in Jacksonville, said he knew in the fall that replacing Richards as Arkansas’ closer was a possibility after a preseason conversation with pitching coach Dave Jorn.
“I’ve come out of the pen before in high school,” Baxendale said. “But when I came out, I was coming over from shortstop.
“So now it’s just about getting loose and getting prepared to pitch without already being in the game.”
There’s no guarantee Baxendale will be working out of the bullpen all season, though. Van Horn has often said Baxendale is capable of starting games for the Razorbacks and could hold multiple roles this year.
“He may get a start or two this year,” Van Horn said Sunday. “He may end up pitching on the weekend in a starting situation. But at least we know going into the Kansas game and the Cal series this weekend we’ve got someone that can come in and stop them.”
So for now, Baxendale is Arkansas’ closer and couldn’t be happier about his role as the Razorbacks move closer to Southeastern Conference play. But much like he has learned in his role as Arkansas’ closer, the freshman said he’ll be prepared for anything.
“Any time they need me to start or any time they need me to pitch,” Baxendale said. “Long relief, short relief, closing, it doesn’t matter. I just want to be on the mound.”
WEEKEND TICKET
No. 17 Arkansas (6-1) at California (6-1)
When: Today at 3:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.
Where: Evans Diamond in Berkley, Calif.
TV: None
Radio: Razorback Sports Network
Series Record: Tied 2-2
Probable Starters: Arkansas — RHP Mike Bolsinger (1-0, 2.00), LHP Drew Smyly (0-0, 4.50) and RHP Brett Eibner (2-0, 1.50); California — RHP Erik Johnson (2-0, 0.00), LHP Justin Jones (2-0, 1.29), RHP Dixon Anderson (2-0, 0.00)
Players to Watch: Arkansas – 1B Andy Wilkins (.435, 3 HR, 13 RBI), 3B Zack Cox (.357, 1 HR, 9 RBI), RF Jarrod McKinney (.321, 1 HR, 5 RBI); California — C Chadd Krist (.577, 3 HR, 10 RBI), LF Danny Oh (.452, 0 HR, 11 RBI), DH Devin Rodriguez (.381, 1 HR, 7 RBI)
