March 11, 2009

Kendall Rogers
Rivals.com College Baseball Editor

WACO, Texas ? Baylor's season after 12 games is best defined by the numbers 5.24 and 3.55.

The numbers represent a production and attitude change.

Last season, the Bears had one of the nation's best ace pitchers in hard-throwing right-hander Kendal Volz, but the rest of the pitching staff, especially the bullpen, left much to be desired.

The Bears finished the 2008 season with a 5.24. Coincidentally, they ended the season with an overall record of 32-26 and failed to reach an NCAA regional.

This season has been a much different story in every facet of the game and the Bears currently have an overall record of 10-2 and are ranked No. 13.

The Baylor pitching staff has a 3.55 earned-run average, Volz finally is getting some help from other weekend starters, and most importantly, the Bears finally have a bullpen to feel good about because of freshman reliever Logan Verrett.

There's a different feeling in Waco these days and its contagious.

"For whatever reason, we just didn't get it done last season, but I know we're tired of being on the losing end of things," Volz told Rivals.com. "This team mentally is more in the game and you can just see the confidence in the dugout."

There are several areas in which the Bears already have improved this season, but the bullpen certainly has led the cause.

"One of the things I've really preached to my team is that this isn't a one-man show starring Kendal Volz, everyone is doing their part right now," Baylor coach Steve Smith. "They've done it so far this season, but each game I really want our relievers to come to the field ready to pitch."

Junior right-handed pitcher Willie Kempf made 10 starts last season, but moved to the bullpen during the offseason. So far this season, the veteran has allowed just two runs in seven innings of work and opponents are hitting him at a .200 clip.

Verrett, though, is the arm that makes this pitching staff go.

A high school senior when the Bears struggled last season, Verrett is pitching like he has been in the program for four years. In five appearances, Verrett has struck out 18 and compiled an earned-run average of 0.71 in 12 2/3 innings of work. Most striking, though, is the fact opponents are hitting him at a .146 clip.

In other words, Verrett isn't your typical freshman.

"Poise is part of the reason he's doing well this season ? but he's just really good," Smith said. "His velocity is jumping and it just looks to me like when a hitter is at his best, Logan is at his best. He's very consistent."

Verrett's arm certainly gives the Bears a wealth of confidence late in games, but their overall attitude has changed greatly since last season. They also have experienced a wealth of success in one-run games.

That's also unlike last season.

In '08, the Bears ended the season 10-8 in one-run games. This season, though, the Bears are 6-1 in one-run games and most recently battled back from a five-run deficit in the eighth inning to beat UAB 11-8.

Some call it luck. I call it attitude and confidence.

"I don't really like close games, but as long as we're getting the job done, that's all that matters to me," Baylor first baseman Dustin Dickerson said. "We play too hard to lose these days. It's that no quit mentality coming out each game."

The Bears once again will be put to the ultimate test this week with a mid-week game against Texas and a three-game series against Texas A&M to open Big 12 play this weekend. Both teams are intense rivals and ranked higher than BU.

But as has been the case against TCU and other teams this season, the Bears aren't deterred by tough games or teams that have earned a higher ranking.

If anything, the Bears welcome every challenge for the first time in a couple seasons.

The Bears once again have that championship feeling.

The pitching staff, amazingly enough, and attitude are to thank.

Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Rivals.com and Yahoo! Sports. He can be reached at rogersk@yahoo-inc.com.