Arkansas Razorbacks: Hogs win critical opening game of College World Series

June 16, 2012|Chris Replogle, KY3 News | Twitter @ky3hogsinsider or on Facebook @KYTV HogsInsider

OMAHA, Neb. - The Hogs' post-season magic followed them to the College World Series.

DJ Baxendale pitched 6.1 innings, giving up three hits and only one earned run to lead the Arkansas Razorbacks (45-20) to an 8-1 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes (46-19) Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the College World Series. Arkansas advances to the winners bracket Monday to play the South Carolina Gamecocks at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN2.

"I thought DJ was incredible," said Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn. "I knew after the first inning he had it because he threw every fastball right where he wanted it in the first inning, and that's a tell tale sign for him."

Baxendale quickly forgot about his struggles in his last appearance against Baylor. Baxendale (8-5) struck out five Golden Flashes, earning the victory, Reliever Brandon Moore finished the last 2.2 innings.

"Against Baylor, I really felt like I let the team down," said Baxendale. "And 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, because we know any time you can win the first game, just keeps building off that."

Arkansas' bats gave Baxendale plenty of offense. Sophomore catcher Jake Wise led the Hogs at the plate with two hits, including a solo home run in the second inning for a 2-0 lead. The Razorbacks as a team collected ten hits and scored more runs combined then it did in the three games of the Super Regional against Baylor.

"Just a lot of clutch hitting," said Van Horn. "I thought we did a good job of hitting with two outs, two strikes, just kept adding to that lead."

Kent State's David Starn (11-4) took the loss.

Arkansas lost two-of-three games against South Carolina in the regular season at Baum Stadium. The Gamecocks are the two-time defending College World Series Champions. South Carolina has won 22-straight NCAA Tournament games, including 12-straight College World Series games.

"We know it's going to be a tough game," said Baxendale. "And we're just going to attack it like we normally do."

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