By MIKE MASTOVICH
The Tribune-Democrat
August 08, 2008 09:43 pm
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Officially speaking, this is Jake Rougeaux’s rookie season in the AAABA League.
But the Delweld left-hander isn’t a typical first-year player.
At age 20 Rougeaux also is in his final season in the local league.
His resume includes three seasons with IUP, a team that advanced to the PSAC Tournament for the first time in a decade this spring. Additionally, Rougeaux learned a lot while pitching in the open Indiana County League, which has no age limit and includes former college and pro players, some of whom are in their 40’s.
“He held his own over there,” said Delweld manager Rick Roberts, a former minor league pitcher who played in the Indiana County League. “I really liked bringing him in as a 20-year-old. He had experience playing against older guys.”
Roberts will call on Rougeaux as his opening night starter in the 64th AAABA Tournament that begins on Monday at Point Stadium.
“Every time I’ve given him the ball, he’s been consistent,” Roberts said. “You know what you’re going to get. He’s not going to overpower you. He keeps the ball down. He’s got a really good change-up. You have to pry him off the mound because he’s a bulldog out there.”
Rougeaux is 8-1 with a cumulative 1.36 earned run average in 612⁄3 innings this season. He struck out 48 and walked 25 batters.
“I know when I finally get out there on the mound there will be some nerves because I’ve never thrown in front of so many people,” said Rougeaux, who will be a senior at IUP. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to calm myself down and block out the crowd and just focus on me and the catcher.”
Rougeaux has handled the pressure so far. He won both his starts in the playoffs, as Delweld upset second-seeded GMI Renegades in the first round and swept Principle Development in the championship series.
Roberts credits Rougeaux’s time in the ICL with providing the left-hander both experience and maturity.
“There are some 40-plus-year-old men in that league. There are ex-college guys. There are a couple ex-professional guys,” Roberts said. “He’s used to playing against older, better competition and that should help him in the tournament.”
Rougeaux relies on his change-up to keep batters off-balance. He’s learned that there is more to pitching than simply attempting to overpower the opposition.
“The older guys in that (ICL) league, you’re not going to fool them,” Rougeaux said. “They’ve seen everything. You’ve got to keep them off-balance as best as you can. It helped me a good bit. You can’t just go out there throwing fastballs. You’ve got to mix up your location and your pitches.”
Preparation also is a big part of Rougeaux’s game plan.
“Jake is a conditioning freak,” Roberts said. “He’s always in the weight room. He’s always running. He’s in good shape and he doesn’t get tired.”
His relationship with Roberts played a significant role in Rougeaux’s joining the local AAABA League in his final season of eligibility.
Roberts was a 17-year-old left-hander when he pitched on opening night of the 1996 AAABA Tournament.
“I’ve known Rick for five or six years now. He’s worked with me on my pitching all that time,” Rougeaux said. “I think he’ll help me out. He’s been there (in the AAABA Tournament opener) before. He’s pitched in a lot bigger games in his career. That will help.”
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