LSU coach Paul Mainieri has named junior left-handed pitcher Jared Poche’ his opening night starter when the Tigers take on Cincinnati on Feb. 19 at Alex Box Stadium, the 10th-year coach confirmed via text message. 
As initially reported by The Advocate and Tiger Rag, sophomore right-hander Alex Lange will start Saturday against the Bearcats, followed by senior left-hander John Valek III on Sunday. Mainieri also confirmed he is leaning toward starting sophomore right-hander Austin Bain on Wednesday, Feb. 24 against Lamar.
Poche’ started 18 games in 2015, recording a 9-2 record with a 3.05 ERA. He struck out 72 batters on the season, including a combined 15 strikeouts in wins in the Baton Rouge Regional and Baton Rouge Super Regional. The Lutcher, Louisiana native, however, lasted just 4 1/3 innings in a 10-3 loss to TCU to open up the College World Series. 
Lange, the 2015 National Freshman Pitcher of the Year according to Collegiate Baseball and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, recorded a perfect 12-0 season in 17 starts. The Lee Summit, Missouri native posted 1.97 ERA with 131 strikeouts. Lange’s last outing came in a complete-game win against Cal State Fullerton to avoid elimination in the College World Series, fanning 10 batters on the day. 
Valek, who transferred from Akron after the program shut down, was First-Team All-Mid American selection in 2015 after a 6-6 season with 3.25 ERA. The Parkland, Florida native struck out 62 batters in 99 2/3 innings. 
Bain is coming off shoulder surgery in the fall, completing the 2015 season with 2-3 record and 3.95 ERA. The Geismar, Louisiana struckout 56 batters last year, including a seven-strikeout performance against South Carolina. 
Tiger Rag and The Advocate are also reporting junior right-hander Riley Smith may not appear this weekend. It was previously reported that Smith, a junior college transfer, was suffering from shoulder soreness, but it was not considered to be serious. 

Sounds like Riley Smith could throw a bullpen session late next week. Could pitch an inning Sunday, but likely out for opening weekend #LSU
— James Moran (@SmartestMoran) February 12, 2016

Mainieri said he hopes to have Riley Smith throwing a bullpen Thursday or Friday with an outside chance he throws an inning Sunday. #LSU
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 13, 2016