One year ago, LSU southpaw Jared Poche’ was a freshman still learning the ropes.
When the No. 2 Tigers open their season against Kansas, he’ll be the veteran giving the lessons.
“Kind of crazy to think that your sophomore is the big veteran on your staff, but that’s the way it is,” said LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri.
Mainieri will start two freshmen on the mound against the Jayhawks this weekend, but Poche’ will be the old veteran throwing the opening pitch on opening night at 7 p.m. tonight at Alex Box Stadium.
The last time Poche’ pitched on opening day was at the start of his senior season at Lutcher High School, but he said that night wasn’t near the atmosphere there’s bound to be at The Box.
“In high school, I [pitched on opening day] for three years,” Poche’ said. “But it won’t compare to anything here.”
LSU freshman right-handed pitcher Jake Godfrey, who Mainieri said will start Sunday, is ready to sit back and learn from his slightly-older, yet more experienced teammate.
“Jared’s young, too, but he’s a veteran, you can tell,” Godfrey said. “He’s the captain of our pitching staff for sure. He’s going to go out there and show us how it’s done Friday night.”
It won’t be the easiest test for Poche’, who will duel against one of the Big 12’s top hitting teams from a season ago. The Jayhawks finished 2014 with the third-highest batting average (.283) and third-most runs (345) in the Big 12.
Kansas also returns senior outfielder Dakota Smith, the team’s leading hitter from 2014. Smith — who’s earned back-to-back All-Big 12 Honorable Mention nods — batted .337 last season, fourth-best in the league. He also posted career-highs in RBIs (43), runs scored (33) and walks (13).
But Mainieri doesn’t have doubt about how his new ace will perform against a capable hitting ball club. He has had confidence in Poche’ since he arrived on campus.
“Last year at this time, all of you were asking me, ‘Aren’t you nervous about starting Jared Poche’ as a true freshman?,’” Mainieri said. “I said I wasn’t that nervous because he had qualities about him: unflappable self-confidence, moxy, savvy.”
Those characteristics, combined with what Mainieri called a “pretty good curveball,” eventually culminated in Poche’ becoming the Tigers’ No. 2 starter for most of the 2014 season.
Poche’ started 16 games as a freshman, going 9-3 and holding opponents to a 2.45 ERA in 91.2 innings of work. Poche’ also struck out 52 batters while walking just 26. Poche’ said he learned a lot about pitching against college competition, but learned more about himself.
“Coming in last year, I really didn’t know what I was made of,” Poche’ said. “I had never faced any college hitters. I didn’t know where I compared to other guys. After doing this for a year, I kind of know where I stand.”
Poche’ may not have been sure of himself as an unproven freshman, but his teammates never doubted how the lefty would perform with the ball in his hand.
“When he came in as a freshman, he was ready to compete and wasn’t scared,” said LSU junior shortstop Alex Bregman. “I think he’s going to be that same bulldog for us. He’s matured a lot. He knows how to get people out, and he knows how to win in the [Southeastern Conference].”
But unlike most first-time collegiate starters, Poche’ didn’t have a killer fastball to work with, and Mainieri acknowledged he wondered whether his 87 mph heater would be enough in the ultra-competitive SEC.
After Poche’ was named a 2014 Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, Mainieri concluded it was. He also said he expects more from Poche’ this season given the improvements he made during the offseason.
“[Poche’s] control is much better,” Mainieri said. “His changeup is much better, and he’s got a year of experience under his belt. He carries himself like a veteran, and he’s a great example — not only for what he did last year but how he goes about his business — to these young kids.”
With a year under his belt, the experienced and battle-tested Poche’ will start opening day as the unquestioned leader of a talented yet young pitching staff. But he’ll go to the mound with same, calm approach he’s always pitched with.
“Pitching is always 90 percent mental,” Poche’ said. “If I come out and have the same mental approach every game, that’ll always put me in a good predicament to be successful.”
You can reach David Gray on Twitter @dgray_TDR.