Wilkins finding positives

BY CHRIS COCOLES

Posted on Monday, June 2, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/227554/

STANFORD, Calif. — Andy Wilkins wasn’t wearing the just-happy-to-be-here smile when discussing Arkansas ’ early exit from the NCAA Tournament Stanford Regional.

The Razorbacks hoped to stick around longer than two losses in two days that made them the first team bounced from the regional at Sunken Diamond. But for Wilkins, one of three freshmen who started Saturday’s 5-1 eliminationgame loss to Stanford, it was a quick but, he hopes, valuable trip with benefits reaped next season and beyond.

“I think it’s been a great experience. It sure would be nice to win it and take it to a super regional. But we know what we’ll have to do next time to get it done,” Wilkins said.

Arkansas sweated out an NCAA at-large bid when it didn’t make the SEC Tournament and figured to be either one of the last teams in or out. Coach Dave Van Horn agreed when it was suggested his club did belong in the field after two competitive games against quality opponents Pepperdine and Stanford.

Pitching wasn’t an issue with Arkansas getting effective work from Friday’s starter Cliff Springston and 2 2 / 3 scoreless innings of relief from Mike Bolsinger. Even on Saturday, the Razorbacks couldn’t complain too much after Dallas Keuchel, Justin Wells and Stephen Richards held Stanford to five runs on 10 hits.

“That’s going to give you a shot to win in just about any league,” Van Horn said. “The pitching was fine. But we just didn’t get the timely hits. When runners are in scoring position, it’s harder to hit because [opposing pitchers ] bear down.”

Injuries bothered Arkansas all season long, though it was far less a factor for the postseason than earlier on. But Van Horn said almost everyone struggled offensively in the two games, and he was disappointed.

In Friday’s 4-3 loss to Pepperdine, Arkansas batters failed to hit the ball out of the infield with a runner at third and less two outs, mustering just a foul popout and taking a called third strike in two situations.

Then against Stanford, the Razorbacks left runners at second and third three times. Wilkins, the freshman who had an otherwise standout rookie season (. 331 average, 8 home runs, 38 RBI in 35 games ) stranded five runners in scoring position after collecting singles his first two at-bats.

But for first baseman Wilkins and the other freshmen starting Saturday — center fielder Brett Eibner (. 298, 8 HR, team-best 48 RBI ) and designated hitter Jacob House (. 289, 5 HR, 23 RBI ) — the regional essentially was all about developing for the future.

“Those three are good freshmen, and they’re going to be great players in the [SEC ]. They have the right mindset and the attitude to play the game,” said junior third baseman Logan Forsythe, the team’s leader and mentor who’s likely headed to pro baseball as a high pick in this Thursday’s major league draft. “If I leave something with them, just one of all the freshmen, that’s more of an accomplishment with what I did on the field. Maybe it’s going to help some other guys with next year’s team.”

Actually, one postseason positive the Razorbacks can take out of their season is their long trip to northern California rather than somewhere close by. Van Horn said going so far away from home was good for the players, and competing against pitchingheavy Western teams like Pepperdine and Stanford can only help for 2009, with three Pacific-10 Conference opponents scheduled — 2008 NCAA Tournament teams Arizona State and California, and Washington State.

“You just hope that next year we’re talking about the [postseason ] experience they got and that’s why we’re playing so well,” Van Horn said.