LSU sophomore pitcher Baylee Corbello enters the 2015 season as one of top young pitchers in the Southeastern Conference after earning SEC All-Freshman honors in 2014. 
In the offseason, she evolved into a smarter, more efficient pitcher by changing her mentality in the circle and aiming to tackle her one flaw last season — walks.    
“Walks were about 95 percent mental for me,” Corbello said. “[Last year] I felt like I need to do it by myself, and [now] I realize that it’s not about me. [LSU coach Beth Torina] always tells me, ‘I don’t want you to strikeout 21 people. I want you to get 21 outs as fast as you can. Just let them hit.’ That was my big thing — I didn’t want to give up hits.”
Although Corbello held opponents to three or fewer hits in 10 of her complete games last season, her focus on producing strikeouts and limiting walks took a toll on her arm. 
In 2014, Corbello led the team with 24 complete games, averaging 120.2 pitches per complete game. The Lake Charles, Louisiana, native pitched at least 100 pitches in half of her conference appearances. 
The high number of pitches hurt Corbello, particularly in her second appearance in SEC series because batters had already seen her best pitches. Corbello struggled in Sunday appearances in conference play, averaging three walks, 1.3 strikeouts and 2.7 innings pitched. 
In Friday or Saturday starts, Corbello averaged 6.3 innings pitched, 5.9 walks and 6.4 strikeouts. 
Entering her sophomore year, Corbello said she aims to become more efficient with her pitches to keep batters off-balance throughout a three-game conference series. 
“This year, I realize that the less pitches a batter sees, the more effective I will be throughout the game,” Corbello said. “I feel like each batter seeing five-plus pitches, that’s all my pitches right there, so they’re ready for their next at-bat. The less pitches I let them see, let them hit early in the count and just throw quality pitches.”
Along with limiting her number of pitches, Corbello worked in the offseason to have better control of pitches and greater understanding of when to throw each pitch. 
Throughout the offseason, junior catcher Kellsi Kloss noticed Corbello’s focus on limiting walks and her development into a stronger presence in the circle. 
“In bullpens especially, we’re very focused on getting ahead of batters and knowing what counts you can afford to throw balls,” Kloss said. “She’s working a lot on control this offseason … She’s just got a very good mind for what she’s got to this year.”
In her first start of 2015 against Memphis in the season opener, Corbello allowed no walks and notched eight strikeouts. 
Against North Carolina State on Sunday, Corbello came out with another solid performance, earning four strikeouts, two walks and two earned runs. 
Along with leading the rotation in the circle, Corbello has stepped up into a leadership role as the most experienced pitcher in the lineup during following the graduation of former pitcher Ashley Czechner and the additions of freshmen pitchers Allie Walljasper and Carley Hoover. 
“In the bullpen, [Corbello’s leadership is] very, very evident. All the pitchers ask her for feedback and input,” Kloss said. “She has a very good representation of what coach Beth wants in a pitcher. She’s just very sure of herself in the bullpen.” 
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.