Texas Tech University Athletics
Proud To Be A Red Raider
February 25, 2004 | Baseball
Feb. 25, 2004
Steve Gooch was excited to come to Texas Tech when he arrived in 2001. Little did he know that he would not only be a member of the team, but the workhorse of the Red Raider pitching staff for the next two seasons. Now, in his third and final season as a Red Raider, Gooch takes on an equally important role-that of senior leader.
Being in the spotlight is nothing new for Gooch, who led the team in innings pitched in both 2002 (112 IP) and 2003 (105 2/3 IP), but filling the role of a vocal team leader is something that must be done in every game and practice, not just on the days he pitches.
"It's going to be a lot different being a senior," Gooch said. "It's my job to make sure everyone is doing their job and staying focused."
Gooch's leadership may be as important of an ingredient to Tech's 2004 success as his arm. The Red Raiders will certainly need both in trying to recover from a disappointing 2003, the first season since 1994 that the Red Raiders were left out from NCAA Regional play and the only time in Tech's 7-year Big 12 Conference tenure the team failed to qualify for the conference postseason tournament.
As far as Gooch is concerned, 2004 will not be a repeat in disappointment for Red Raider players and fans.
"This season's going to be a lot different," Gooch said. "We have a new attitude and we are all ready to get back to where we were before."
The weight of leadership on Gooch's shoulders may be even greater than it is for the average senior. Gooch joins Cody Fuller, Madison Edwards and Tanner McElroy as the Red Raiders on the 2004 roster who have any postseason experience. Of that group, Gooch is the senior. Gooch doesn't worry though, as he feels he understands how and when to approach leadership situations.
"There's a time and place to speak up and say things," Gooch said. "Coaches influence us on how to approach that. My major job is to make sure I'm setting a tone for things. I think I'm prepared for that."
Regardless of Gooch's vocal leadership, his on-field experience certainly warrants the respect and attention of underclassmen and newcomers.
Gooch started his Tech career as a sophomore reliever in 2002 after spending a year at Howard Junior College. Yet after two appearances out of the bullpen, Gooch had impressed enough to earn a start against Louisiana-Lafayette in the 2002 Astros College Classic. Tech lost the game 4-3, but Gooch threw a solid 6 1/3 innings, in which he only gave up one earned run on five hits. Gooch got his first win as a starter the next week against TCU in the Lone Star Classic in Round Rock, and he has not relinquished his spot in the starting rotation since.
"As a young player, that's your goal to contribute as a starter," Gooch said. "That was my plan when I came here, and I am fortunate that the coaches allowed me the opportunity to do that."
Tech coaches were fortunate to have Gooch as well. The Waco Midway product pitched a complete game against Kansas State (Tech's lone win in the 3-game series) and earned three wins during Tech's record 16-game winning streak-including another complete game in a crucial conference matchup with Oklahoma- that wrapped up the regular season and propelled Tech into postseason play.
Along the way in that 2002 season, Gooch also pitched his way into the prominent and pressure-filled role of the Friday night starter. Gooch made six starts as the series-opening hurler for Tech in 2002, including the opening games in both the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments. He pitched well enough in that span that Tech won all six, even though Gooch received no-decisions in three of the games.
"Friday night is always where you want to be as a pitcher," said Gooch, who continued as the Friday night starter for most of the year in 2003 and hopes to do the same in 2004. "To be considered in some of the most important games is awesome. You know going into Friday night that you are going to be facing the other team's best guy, and that it is going to be a close game. I live for those moments."
Gooch's 2003 season may not have been as stellar record-wise as his opening act as a Red Raider, but it was certainly no disappointment. In fact, his junior numbers were very similar to those he put up his sophomore season in every category but the win/loss column. Gooch's ERA increased only slightly between seasons (3.86 in 2002 to 4.00 in 2003), but his record fell from 7-2 as a sophomore to 4-5 last season. Gooch started the year out with a bang as he struck out 12 batters and pitched a complete game in the season opener against New Mexico. Yet Gooch's tough-luck season could be summed by looking at two particular outings, solid-pitched complete games at TCU and Baylor that still resulted in losses for Gooch due to a lack of run support from Tech hitters.
Despite coming off a frustrating 2003, Gooch has a lot to look forward to in 2004. His name should find its way into the Tech record books in 2004. He needs only 16 starts to overtake Shane Wright for the most starts ever made in Texas Tech history. Also, his name is sure to climb high in the innings pitched category for a career, though he'll need to throw 151 IP to catch Wright as the leader.
A new season also presents Gooch with something else he's been getting used to-a new pitching coach. For the third time in three years, Gooch will work under a new face in that regard. After following the instruction of Ryan Brewer in 2002 and Brian Strickland in 2003, Gooch will now learn from Travis Walden, a Lubbock native who served as pitching coach at Southwest Texas State last season. Despite being faced with yet another turnover at the position, Gooch is excited to work with Walden.
"It's been tough to have three guys in three years because everyone has a different approach," Gooch said. "But I really like Coach Walden. His attitude is a real no-nonsense attitude. He doesn't want you doing anything that's not part of your job. One of the biggest things about him coming here is the intensity that he brings to the job.
"It's amazing because even after working in high school and college with a lot of different pitching coaches, I have still learned so much from him. He's really taught me a lot just in the short time I've been with him."
Relationships with coaches are a big reason Gooch is at Texas Tech. Before arriving at Tech, Gooch spent a season under the tutelage of Larry Hays' youngest son, Justin Hays, at Howard College in Big Spring. Then he arrived at Tech, where he played for Coach Hays and another of his sons, Daren. All along, Gooch has grown to appreciate and respect the Hays family.
"Coach Hays has been very special to me," Gooch said. "His son Justin Hays was my coach when I was down at Howard. That was a great opportunity and so is this. They are just a great family altogether. I thank Larry Hays a lot for the opportunity that I've had to not only come here, but to also be able to play."
Along with the lure of playing for coaches he respects, Gooch says the Lubbock community is another reason he has always wanted to be a Red Raider.
"Texas Tech is a great school and Lubbock is a great town," Gooch said. "It's where I've wanted to be ever since high school. The community welcomes everyone as a student. The weather is not always the best, but this school and city still have a great atmosphere. It's a dream come true to be here. "The big thing here is the community involvement. It's a true honor that few people get to experience to be an athlete here. Lubbock and Texas Tech make it easy and a privilege to be an athlete."
Now with his final chance to perform for the fans and community he so greatly appreciates, Gooch hopes to leave them all with a season to remember.
"We really want to get back on track," said Gooch, whose greatest goal for the year is lofty but one he realistically wants to attain. "I want to go to the College World Series and win in Omaha to get a ring. That is what every kid dreams about, and that's what I want to do before I leave here."
Should Gooch's hopes be fulfilled, he can rest assured that he has returned the favor to the fans he has enjoyed playing in front of over the last few seasons. Red Raiders everywhere will be hoping Gooch's goal will be reached. With the leadership and performance of Gooch leading the way, the Omaha dream may not be quite as lofty as it once seemed.
