For Jaren Poché, a win against Florida State in Wednesday’s matchup would mean more than just keeping the Tiger’s season alive.
It would be a new all-time win record for an LSU Tiger pitcher.
Poché returns to the mound after he came on in relief against Florida State in the Tigers first game in Omaha. The lefty was credited with the win after he stymied the Seminoles bats, allowing only two hits and no runs on 30 pitches.
“We would have expected that he would have won his record win against Texas Southern or Mississippi State,” said coach Paul Mainieri following the Tigers 5-4 victory over Florida State, “But I guess he wanted to save it for a more exciting time here in Omaha.”
The previous win against Florida State tied Poché with former Tiger Scott Schultz, (1986-1989), for the most wins all-time by an LSU pitcher at 38.
“It’s unbelievable,” Poché said. “Just with all the great pitchers that have come through LSU for me to, I guess, tie that record and put my name at the top of the list, it’s something that’s hard to describe. Obviously been thinking about it all year and been hoping that it would happen obviously the last two weeks. But I guess God had a better plan and wanted it to happen in Omaha. So I’m excited.”
The chance to break the record on Wednesday night could be Poché’s last. If the Tigers lose, it will have beeni his last time on the mound in an LSU uniform. The senior may not have been the most dominant or flashy pitcher during his time in Baton Rouge, but his grit and non-stop effort has vaulted him to the top of the LSU record books.
“He’s just a consummate competitor,” Mainieri said. “Sometimes he doesn’t pitch great because he might be a little bit off with his control or they get to him a little bit, but it’s never because of lack of effort. It’s never because of a lack of preparation. It’s never because of a lack of competitive zeal.”
Poché knows he has a slim margin for error against Florida State, but said that he will not change the way he approaches opposing hitters.
“Obviously it is win or go home for us, a lot on the line. I’m just going to approach it like I’ve approached every start the last four years. Just go out there attack the zone, let the defense work, compete and hope for the best.”
Poché, who was hampered by defensive errors in the first regional game against Texas Southern, will indeed need his defense to work behind him.
The Tigers came into the NCAA postseason having only committed 41 errors, and in the seven game’s since the conclusion of the Southeastern Conference Tournament the team has committed eight errors.
One of the main culprits for the errors has been senior shortstop Kramer Robertson, who is responsible for three of the eight errors in NCAA postseason play.
“It seems like these are the games Jared Poche is at his best,” Robertson said. “We are going to go out there, and play good defense behind him.”
Poché will need the assistance from his defense especially. The senior is often prone to erratic moments, but has often times managed to finagle his way out the jam.
“If you asked me of all the pitchers I have ever coached, when we had our backs against the wall after a tough outing who I would want to be giving the ball to, it’s Jared Poche,” Mainieri said.
With Tigers in pursuit of a 50-win season and LSU’s all-time wins record for a pitcher on the line, the team will possibly need more than a great performance from Poché.
LSU will need to see “Vintage Poché.”
