When the 2014 season begins on Friday, LSU will be unveiling a starting pitching staff that will be a “rotation” in every sense of the word.
Prior to the squad’s 2013 College World Series birth, then-sophomore southpaw Cody Glenn faced a suspension for violating team rules, leaving the Tigers without their traditional No. 3 starter for the Regional or Super Regional round of the postseason.
Instead, former Tiger left-hander Brent Bonvillain took the hill in his place, helping steer the rotation straight to Omaha, Neb.
Glenn returned to the mound in the team’s CWS elimination game against North Carolina, where the Tigers lost 4-2 after he surrendered a two-run home run to the Tar Heels’ Brian Holberton and lasted only two innings.
Now the junior has had an offseason to get his actions in order, both on and off the field. He’ll be battling for a weekend slot in 2014, and he said he is fully aware of the challenges ahead.
“That’s the way I like it,” Glenn said. “Freshman year I came in, and [LSU coach Paul Mainieri] kind of handed me the mid-week job on a silver platter even though I didn’t really earn it. Last year, he said, ‘I’m not going to hand you anything. You’re going to deserve everything you get.’ I think I was a much better pitcher because of that, so that’s what he’s doing again this year.”
Mainieri said Glenn has matured since he last took the mound in competitive play.
“I thought he grew up as a pitcher last year, and now I think he needed to grow up a little more as a person a little bit more this year,” Mainieri said. “Cody has worked hard, has had a great attitude, has done everything we’ve asked him to do, and he’s looked good on the mound. Hopefully this will be another step in the maturation of a young man into adulthood.”
Though the final two weekend spots are still being fought over, LSU will have its “ace” returning.
Junior right-hander Aaron Nola had a career season in 2013, finishing 12-1 with a 1.57 ERA and a Southeastern Conference-leading 122 strikeouts. Nola earned a First Team All-American nod, plus National Pitcher of the Year Finalist, 2013 SEC Pitcher of the Year and Louisiana Pitcher of the Year recognition, among other accolades.
Nola lost his only start of the season in the team’s first game of the 2013 CWS against UCLA, 2-1, though he tossed eight innings without giving up an earned run.
He said he’s still looking to join his brother, former Tiger shortstop Austin Nola, as a national champion.
“This could potentially be my last year, and I don’t have a National Championship ring,” Nola said. “Our goal is always Omaha. We have other goals throughout the year, but you’ve just got to take it one game at a time.”
Two other left-handers will also battle for a starting job. Junior college transfer Kyle Bouman and freshman Jared Poche have already been scheduled for starts early in the season.
Bouman started nine games for Jefferson County Community College in 2013, finishing 5-3 with a 1.70 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings pitched. He is scheduled to start on Saturday against the University of New Orleans.
Poche finished with a 12-0 mark during his senior season at Lutcher High School with a 0.61 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched. Poche is slated to start Sunday in Alex Box Stadium against Grambling.
Mainieri said he’s liked what he’s seen from his freshman southpaw.
“This kid can pick up two or three miles per hour on his fastball, and we’re going to be talking about somebody who is really special,” Mainieri said. “He’s got all the other attributes. He’s got an allure about him out there on the mound, and he’s fearless.”
“This could potentially be my last year, and I don’t have a National Championship ring. Our goal is always Omaha. We have other goals throughout the year, but you’ve just got to take it one game at a time.”

Gallery • 1 Photos

Angela Major

LSU junior left handed pitcher Cody Glenn (24) pitches the ball Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 during practice at Alex Box Stadium.