FAYETTEVILLE — Given our litigious society, DJ Baxendale probably could sue the University of Arkansas’ baseball program.
And win.
A clear case of Razorbacks nonsupport, most would judge in favor of Baxendale.
Not if Baxendale held court, though. It would never reach the docket. The Razorbacks’ junior right-hander from Jacksonville stoically keeps pitching and persevering through no-decisions and heartbreaking defeats that would try the patience of Job.
“That’s part of the game,” Baxendale said. “You look at it all the time, guys get cheap wins and cheap losses in the big leagues and college baseball. It’s just how the game is played.”
Everybody has good intentions, but not every intent will go to the good.
“Your offense isn’t trying not to score any runs and your defense isn’t trying to make errors,” Baxendale said. “They are trying to help you out the best they can. When I make mistakes, I don’t get fingers pointed at me, and I don’t point fingers when anybody else makes mistakes. It’s just part of the game.”
Other than an early-season stretch when he struggled, Baxendale has pitched about as superbly in 2012 as his 10-2 record for 2011.
Baxendale’s 85 strikeouts with only 22 walks over 92 1/3 innings vouch for that.
Yet he’s just 7-4 heading into today’s 4 p.m. matchup with Baylor in the opening game of the best-of-3 NCAA super regional in Waco, Texas. Twice he’s lost 2-1, to Kentucky during the SEC season and to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. On short rest because fellow starter Ryne Stanek was injured, Baxendale pitched into the sixth inning of a game against Auburn that Arkansas would lose 3-2 in 10 innings. Victimized by Arkansas errors leading to four unearned runs, he pitched six strong innings against Sam Houston State in the opening game of the Houston Regional, which reliever Brandon Moore ended up winning 5-4 .
Just barely above minimal support in those 2-1 losses and one of those no-decisions and Baxendale repeats 10-2.
Baxendale shrugs.
He smiles about the games won regardless who is credited with winning them, particularly that start to Arkansas sweeping the Houston Regional.
Now Arkansas is one of the last 16 teams vying to be among the eight teams that will move on to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
What a finish an Omaha trip would be for the Arkansas native who is likely to sign as a 10th-round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins but is craving a trip to the CWS first. He sees the potential to get there, too.
“I thought our offense and defense got it rolling,” Baxendale said. “Our entire pitching staff has done a great job, especially of late. With our bullpen, you know whoever is coming in behind you is going to get the job done.”
Even Baylor’s big, bad Bears - who are nationally seeded, at home, and are collectively hitting .312 - must respect how Baxendale gets it done in regionals. Baxendale has allowed just one earned run over 201/3 career innings in regional play, which includes relieving in a super regional against Arizona State in 2010 and in starts against New Mexico last year and Sam Houston State last week,
That always courts Arkansas’ admiration, if not always its support.
Sports, Pages 24 on 06/09/2012