Around the horn

UA has new look at plate

Arkansas has several new players this season, and that was mostly reflected in the middle of the Razorbacks’ batting order Friday.

No. 3 hitter Matt Reynolds and No. 4 hitter Kyle Robinson had a combined 81 plate appearances last season for the Razorbacks, while No.

5 hitter Dominic Fiocciello is a true freshman from Fullerton, Calif.

On Friday, Robinson went 2 for 4 with a double, while Reynolds and Ficociello were both 0 for 4.

“I just want to contribute and do the best I can for the team,” said Robinson, who started in right field. “My goal is to get to Omaha and play in the [College] World Series.”the middle of the order.

Zack Cox, Brett Eibner and Andy Wilkins formed the heart of Arkansas’ batting order last season, but all three turned pro after being selected high in last summer’s major league draft.

Robinson hit .353 in limited action, while Reynolds finished with a.203 average after battling injuries.

Reynolds, who was the opening-day shortstop last year for the Razorbacks, started at third base Friday.

It’s the Baum

Arkansas set an openingday record of 7,526 for Friday’s season-opener at Baum Stadium.

The large crowd pleased Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn and impressed the newcomers on the Razorbacks team.

“The crowd was awesome,” said Cade Lynch, a sophomore transfer who pitched four innings Friday.

“We’ve got a 3 o’clock game on a Friday and 7,000 people show up. Words can’t describe how crazy that is.” Nice job, sis

Arkansas starter DJ Baxendale threw the first pitch Friday in Arkansas’ season opener, but he didn’t get things started.

That honor went to his sister, Bailey, who sang the national anthem.

Bailey Baxendale, a seventh-grader from Springdale, drew a nice round of applause and waved to the fans after she finished and left from near the mound.

“[Bailey] did wonderful,” DJ said. “I’m probably her biggest fan when it comes to singing. I just wish the microphone hadn’t messed up a couple of times.

“I was probably more nervous for her than she was for me, but I don’t think either of us was that nervous.” Bat support

Count Delaware State’s JP Blandin among the college coaches who support the NCAA’s efforts to modify the bats and make them more like wood bats.

“I work more with the pitching, so I like it,” Blandin said. “It makes the game more realistic and closer to the wood bats.

“College baseball is very popular right now, and I don’t think the change is going to hurt our game at all.”

Sports, Pages 19 on 02/19/2011

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