Poche’s 1-hitter lifts Lutcher to Class 4A crown

Published 11:45 pm Tuesday, May 14, 2013

By Eric Narcisse

Special to L’Observateur

SULPHUR — It’s often been said in baseball that good pitching will beat good hitting every day of the week and twice in Sunday.

St. Thomas More witnessed it firsthand on Saturday in the Class 4A state championship game at McMurry Park in Sulphur.

The Cougars’ bats were silenced by Lutcher’s stellar pitcher Jared Poche, who dominated STM from start to finish en route to leading the Bulldogs to a 4-0 shutout victory to win the Class 4A state title.

“It’s the best feeling any kid in high school could ever have,” said Poche. “I’m on Cloud Nine, just savoring the moment.”

Poche, who is an LSU signee, was sensational for the Bulldogs as he threw seven scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk, while striking out 11 en route to earning the victory and the finals Most Outstanding Player award.

Lutcher coach Davey Clement has led one of the state’s most consistently good programs. Prior to this season, his Bulldogs had often fallen just short of the state tournament.

But once they finally got there, his Bulldogs made good.

“I didn’t even see the final pitch,” said Clement. “I just saw all of our guys react. It was like being struck by lightning. It was hard to move, everyone was going crazy.

“As a head coach, I can’t even describe the feeling (of winning a championship).”

As if the Bulldogs needed any help with the way Poche was throwing the baseball, the Cougars helped them out by committing three crucial throwing errors that led to runs being scored by Lutcher.

The Bulldogs, who its first baseball state championship since 1975, took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an errant throw by the Cougars’ third baseman that would have ended the inning.

Lutcher extended its lead in the top of the second on another throwing error, this time by the catcher which allowed Jordan Oubre to score and put the Bulldogs ahead 2-0. Oubre reached on a two-out single to right field, stole second, advanced to third on wild pitch and scored on the errant throw into left field.

“That was very shocking,” said STM coach Gary Perkins about the Cougars’ throwing errors. “I understand in the final game that you can get tense. You know maybe not be as loose to start the game, but that’s not like us not to make the routine plays. We just pressed the whole game.”

In the third inning, the Bulldogs earned a run as they opened up the frame with an RBI double to left field by Poche, who finished the game 2-for-4. His courtesy runner Gavin Englade came around to score on the RBI single to centerfield by Chase Caldarera to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.

After advancing to second on the throw, Caldarera’s courtesy runner Ryan Jackson advanced to third on another throwing error into left field and eventually scored on a RBI ground out to the shortstop by Spencer Roussel to give the Bulldogs a comfortable 4-0 lead.

“You always feel a little bit better being up 4-0,” said Clement. “But we didn’t relax after that. St. Thomas More is a great team, not ranked No. 1 all year for nothing.”

But Poche had all the run support he needed. He faced one batter over the minimum and threw an efficient 86 pitches. He threw first pitch strikes to 16 of the 22 hitters he faced. For good measure, he finished 2 for 3 at the plate to lead all hitters.

“There was a lot of pressure, definitely. I just wanted to go out and do what I did all season, and that’s throw strikes,” said Poche.

“Obviously, he might be the best pitcher in the state of Louisiana,” STM coach Gary Perkins said. “If not the best, then he is definitely top three no doubt about it. He’s probably one of the best pitchers in the south if not the entire United States. He’s that good.”

 “He commanded three pitches. He started out slow, but as the game went along he began to accelerate his fastball in the upper 80’s and low 90’s and then his change-up was unbelievable. His change-up started out waist high and then the bottom would just fall out. We didn’t have an answer and as a result we don’t have any numbers on the board. It was about him on the mound versus our offense than anything else.”

Although STM starting pitcher Wyatt Marks was saddled with loss, he didn’t pitch poorly. Marks finished the game having allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks, while striking out three in four innings of work.

He was relieved by Friday’s hero Hogan Harris, who pitched three hitless and scoreless innings, while striking out two and walking one.

Picard, who singled in the third inning, and Veillon, who walked in the sixth, were the lone two Cougars players to reach base safely against Poche.

Corey Merrill, who pitched a two-hitter in Lutcher’s 4-1 win over Tioga Friday, said the win was exhilarating.

“I knew we had a great shot going in, but that we actually did it … wow,” he said. “It’s like a giant weight lifted off your shoulders.”

Both Merrill and Poche are seniors. They capped their careers in style.

Said Clement: “One thing we knew was that if we had those two going, throwing as they’re capable, then we’d be awfully tough to beat. And they’ve never pitched better. They saved their best for last.”

LUTCHER 4, TIOGA 1 – Corey Merrill struck out nine and tossed a two-hitter as Lutcher defeated Tioga, 4-1, in Friday’s Class 4A semifinal game.

Jared Poche drove home two runs in the game, while Merrill collected an RBI of his own. LHS scored a fourth run on a fielding error.

LHS coach Davey Clement noted Merrill’s strong performance was his first game back in over a month from injury. He also credited some key defensive plays by shortstop Bailey Brock and third baseman Dylan Alleman, both players shifting into different positions with Merrill moving from third base to the mound.

“Those guys each made a handful of big, big plays,” said Clement. “Those guys were huge for us.”