SPRINGDALE — Postgame team huddles in the outfield have been something to look forward to on a regular basis this year for Chelsea Baldwin and Springdale High.

The Lady Bulldogs have already won six games, which doubles their victory total from a 3-21 record last season. And Springdale also earned its first conference win in three years in an 8-3 win against Siloam Springs.

"It's a lot more fun winning," Baldwin said. "It's fun playing the game, but it's more fun when we're winning. It's more enjoyable."

Baldwin has been the key to the success Springdale has had.

The senior pitcher is in the midst of her best season while pitching every inning of every game for the Lady Bulldogs this year.

She entered the week with a 6-7 record and an impressive 3.00 ERA. She has 40 strikeouts in 28 innings while showcasing an ability to get opposing hitters to put the ball in play and let her defense take care of the rest.

"She's been really our only varsity pitcher for the past three years," Springdale coach Ashlee Kemp said. "She's definitely improved each year. I don't think she's going to overpower anybody, but she can hit spots. She just worked really hard in the offseason to get in better shape and be able to throw a little harder.

"She gets all these ground balls and pop flies. And I think she has confidence, finally, in her defense. I could tell her first year she didn't have much confidence in her defense, but now we're playing pretty good defense. And to see that as a pitcher, that's a whole lot of stress to take off."

Baldwin spent the summer playing for a travel ball team out of Pea Ridge, which provided valuable experience and extra practice time. She's also benefited from the addition of new Springdale pitching coach Michaela Langley.

"At the beginning, she just helped me change my windup entirely," Baldwin said. "Then I worked more on higher pitches. Those haven't always been my strongest, but I feel like I've been doing pretty good this year. And then I worked on my changeup this year, which I think has really helped in games."

Baldwin rarely took an at-bat last season, but has been a valuable weapon in the bottom half of the lineup for a Springdale team hitting markedly better this year.

She entered the week with third on the team with a .385 batting average. She has five doubles and six RBIs while her .484 on-base percentage ranks second on the team.

"She's really helping out right now," Kemp said. "Last year, we flexed her out most of the time and just said to worry about pitching. This year it's, 'You're a senior and you have more responsibility.' And she's up to that."

Baldwin will get to continue her softball career close to home at Ecclesia College next year after committing this spring. The Springdale college's proximity was a key selling point along with new facilities and Lady Royals coach Mike Sevenstar's plans to let Baldwin pitch and potentially play elsewhere in the field.

"I visited OSU and their campus is too big," Baldwin said. "I wanted to go to a smaller college where I can just focus and there's not 100 kids each class."

But first Baldwin will complete her senior season, leading the Lady Bulldogs to what will be their best finish in years.

"I knew we were going to be a lot better this year, because we were a lot more comfortable with each other," Baldwin said. "I guess I was just kind of used to previous years, so this year has kind of taken me by surprise. But I knew we could do it."

Sports on 04/10/2014