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Campus Newcomer: Shawnee Mission South LHP Liam Roche

On3 imageby: Kyle Huesmann07/31/24HuesmannKyle
HawkeyeReport caught up with incoming freshman left-hander Liam Roche.
HawkeyeReport caught up with incoming freshman left-hander Liam Roche.

We continue with our Iowa Baseball campus newcomer series, with a pitcher from the Sunflower State. Shawnee Mission South left-handed pitcher Liam Roche is rated as the #1 LHP in the state of Kansas and the #79 LHP in the country by Perfect Game.

As a senior for the Raiders, Roche posted a 1.68 ERA over 25.0 innings, including 55 strikeouts to 18 walks. Opponents batted just .134 against him and managed just 0.44 hits per inning. Liam was an All-State selection as a senior and a two-time All-Sunflower League honoree.

We caught up with the

Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?

ROCHE: I have already moved to Iowa City and I am really excited to be here and to be getting to work.

Q: What number do you plan to wear and why?

ROCHE: I wore 21 in high school but that’s not going to work out for me here, so I’m thinking #20.

Q: You were an honorable mention 6A All-State selection as a senior, what did it mean to you to get that type of recognition in your final year of high school baseball?

ROCHE: It was pretty cool to be on the all state and all league teams in my last year

Q: What pitches do you have in your arsenal (speeds)? What would you say is your best pitch?

ROCHE: 4S FB 88-92, sinker 86-88, slider/sweeper 74-77, changeup 82-84, I think my slider is my best pitch.

Q: It feels like there’s opportunity, as a lefty, for you to make an impact early in your career at Iowa. How do you plan to attack this fall with that in mind, and what makes you someone that is capable of earning a role on the pitching staff?

ROCHE: Coming into the fall I want to prove myself and perform well enough to earn some innings come spring. I feel like I matured a lot as a pitcher within the past year and that will help me a lot with earning a role.

Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?

ROCHE: The relationships I made with the Iowa coaches during my recruitment was what stood out the most to me.

Q: Were there any other teams that you heavily considered during your recruitment?

ROCHE: The other teams the I considered during my recruitment were Missouri State and Kansas.

Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?

ROCHE: The relationships I have with the coaches are great. I probably talk to Marty Sutherland the most.

Q: If someone asked you “what do you bring to the Iowa Baseball team?” How would you describe your game?

ROCHE: I would say I’m a competitor and I will do whatever I can to put my team in the best position to win.

Q: Have you gotten to talk much with new pitching coach Sean Kenny? How have those early talks with him gone?

ROCHE: I have talked with Coach Kenny a few times and I think he’s a good person and a will be a good fit. I’m excited to get to work with him this fall.

Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?

ROCHE: I have good relationships with a couple of the freshmen, but there’s still a few that I haven’t met.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve?

ROCHE: My goal this year is to prove myself and make a positive impact on the team. I want to improve the number of walks I give up.

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