I doubt LSU freshman pitcher Aaron Nola went to sleep Saturday with thoughts of getting shelled in his first-career Southeastern Conference start.
But that’s exactly what happened Sunday.
The Bulldogs torched Nola for five runs in the first inning, including four doubles en route to a 7-1 rout of LSU. The Tigers still took the series after winning on Friday and Saturday.
The way Nola responded to his nightmare first frame says a lot about the freshman. He didn’t give up an earned run in his last five innings of work, striking out six.
His ability to bounce back after such a harsh SEC opener showed that he is still the right fit for the Sunday starting role.
Sophomore Kurt McCune was pegged as the third starter in the pitching rotation before the season, but he hit a severe sophomore slump. His ERA skyrocketed from 3.31 last season to 5.30 in 2012.
The loss was Nola’s first of the season. His performance shouldn’t fall off one bit.
No other pitcher on LSU’s staff has Nola’s strike-throwing ability. It would be difficult for LSU coach Paul Mainieri to pull him from the rotation.
After the game, Mainieri made it clear that despite the loss, he was still impressed with Nola’s effort.
“I can’t say enough about the way Aaron Nola refused to give up, and he continued to compete at a high level after that tough first inning,” Mainieri told reporters after the game. I can’t help but agree.
Not only did Mainieri nab one of the most coveted pitching prospects in the South, he got a kid who bleeds purple and gold.
Nola, whose brother Austin Nola is LSU’s starting shortstop, was selected in the 22nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft. The only reason he fell that far was because teams doubted he would pass up the opportunity to play with his brother.
It’s a good thing he did slide. LSU would be in some serious trouble if it was still hunting for a weekend starter with SEC play under way.
As he weighed whether to sign a professional contract, Nola cited his lifelong love for LSU sports as a key deciding factor. “To be honest, I’m not really sure what kind of money they are going to put out, but it’s going to take a lot to go away from LSU,” Nola said June 8, 2011.
His love for LSU isn’t a question, and the kid can pitch, too. Earlier this season, he made Tulane look silly. He struck out six in eight innings, shutting out the Green Wave for his second victory.
I describe how tough it is for pitchers – especially freshmen – to bounce back from such a rough first inning. Nola proved Sunday he has something essential for a starting pitcher: a short memory.
There’s no doubt Nola wants to be a successful starter. But after Mainieri’s postgame comments, it’s clear Nola’s coach has his back, no matter how he pitches.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
 
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