Bullpen key for Arkansas
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Sports
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With a bullpen that struggled with depth last season, losing a lead late wasn't unusual at times for the Razorbacks.
But now, with a core of relievers getting outs during key situations, Van Horn said the bullpen has been a big part of early season success.
"We've hung in there and played a lot of one-run games that went down to the last innings early in the season," Van Horn said. "This is a more experienced team. Our team just doesn't panic. We haven't given up a lot of leads late in the game like last year."
Relievers Mike Bolsinger, Stephen Richards and Justin Wells have been a part of the bullpen turnaround in late games this year for the Razorbacks, who host a midweek finale tonight at Baum Stadium against No. 1 Arizona State at 6:30 p.m.
"We have a great bullpen," Bolsinger said. "Richards and Wells have been doing great lately. All the starters have to do is pretty much get to the fifth or sixth inning. But they've been helping us out by going a little further."
With different polls ranking both teams No. 1 in the nation, Van Horn said the series finale should make for a great game.
"It is an honor to be ranked among the top 15 in the nation," Van Horn said. "There are a lot of polls out there and to be No. 1 in any of them is something special."
If the bullpen is called upon, Bolsinger said there are plenty of options to get outs.
Last week, Bolsinger pitched 9.2 innings, allowing three hits and striking out 10. He lowered his season ERA to 2.08 while increasing his strike out total to 33 over 26 innings.
But he doesn't try to do too much when pitching.
"I just try to tell myself that I want to go out there and finish the inning," Bolsinger said. "I want to finish what I started."
Van Horn said earlier in the year he wasn't sure when Bolsinger would rejoin the team after battling mononucleosis.
But the McKinney, Texas, native missed only the first six games of the season and has found success on the mound, despite not fully recovering.
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