Hogs can take pick at catcher

NWA Democrat-Gazette/Michael Woods --01/28/2015--w@NWAMICHAELW... University of Arkansas catcher Alex Gosser practices his footwork Wednesday afternoon at Baum Stadium during practice in Fayetteville.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/Michael Woods --01/28/2015--w@NWAMICHAELW... University of Arkansas catcher Alex Gosser practices his footwork Wednesday afternoon at Baum Stadium during practice in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn is planning to go with a catching rotation this season.

Van Horn said he might play three or four catchers in a game, depending on pinch-hitting or pinch-running situations.

"I think we just have a little more depth on the offensive side," Van Horn said. "That's going to give us a chance to make some more moves."

Alex Gosser, a sophomore from North Little Rock who is the only catcher to play in a game for the Razorbacks, said he's ready to divide the workload.

"I love all our catchers," Gosser said. "In the fall you battle for playing time, but in the spring you really come together as one.

"Whatever we need to do to win the game is what it comes down to now."

Along with Gosser, Arkansas' catchers are Tucker Pennell, a junior transfer from Temple (Texas) Junior College, and freshmen Carson Shaddy and Chad Spanberger.

Gosser and Pennell are the top candidates to start the opener against North Dakota on Feb. 13 at Baum Stadium because of their experience.

Van Horn said Pennell's defensive skills might give a slight edge to start.

"Pennell is a very polished defensive catcher," Van Horn said. "He'll throw you out if you give him a chance. He's very accurate. He catches, he blocks the plate.

"I just see him as a guy that doesn't get rattled too easily. He handles the pitchers. He can talk to them, communicate with them."

Pennell played in 46 games at Temple last season and hit .313 with 2 home runs and 20 runs batted in. He said coming to Arkansas was "a no-brainer" given the Razorbacks' facilities and fan support.

"I'll go from from having 15 or 20 people in the stands to 9,000," Pennell said. "That'll be fun.

"We had nothing at Temple to compare to what Arkansas has, so it makes me appreciate it a lot more."

Gosser was redshirting last season until he started the 51st game against Texas A&M because of injuries to then-senior Jake Wise and Blake Baxendale who has since transferred to Crowder Community College in Neosho, Mo.

The fans in Baum Stadium gave Gosser a standing ovation when he came to bat for the first time, knowing what he was sacrificing for the team.

"That was really special," Gosser said. "If I stop playing baseball right now, that will still be the biggest moment in my life."

Gosser played in eight games with seven starts and hit .320 (8 for 25) with 6 walks and 3 RBI.

While Gosser's playing time last season was limited, Van Horn said it should give him a big confidence boost.

"It's not like he just caught a couple of mid-week games last year," Van Horn said. "He caught down the stretch when we needed it the most. Every game was a big game."

Gosser said he has no regrets about losing his redshirt late in the season.

"I'm actually grateful it happened, because it helped me coming into this year," Gosser said. "Experience goes a long way in this game."

Gosser said he and Pennell have become good friends.

"We do a lot of extra stuff together after practice," Gosser said. "As the older catchers, we're trying to lead the way."

Shaddy, from Fayetteville, redshirted last season and can play the outfield as well as catch. Chadberger, from Granite City, Ill., also can play first base.

Gosser and Spanberger bat left-handed and Pennell and Shaddy bat right-handed, which adds to the versatility at catcher and options for Van Horn.

"If one of us isn't hitting the ball well, someone else can step right in," Pennell said. "It's all about getting the job done."

Wise is still with the program as a student coach.

"Jake's one of the best catchers I've ever seen play," Gosser said. "For him to be speaking his words of wisdom to the catchers is making us all a lot better."

Sports on 02/06/2015

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