Junior Reggie McClain won’t overpower anybody with his fastball. When he needs to get a strikeout to pitch out of a jam, he won’t be dialing up the high heat.

“If I’m going to strike somebody out, I’ll probably go off speed,” he said, laughing. “Definitely off speed if I need a strikeout.”

McClain is a precision pitcher, and his numbers prove it. He’s pitched 24.0 innings over three starts and has only walked three batters. In fact, he threw 17.0 innings without recording a walk to start the season.

A lot is working right now for the back-to-back Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week award winner.

“I’m throwing strikes, not doing too much, just pitching my game,” McClain said. “I know I’m not an overpowering pitcher, so just sticking to my game plan and my way of pitching. It’s been pretty effective so far.”

McClain said that limiting walks has always been a big part of his game. He transferred to Mizzou last year from Manatee Community College in Florida and has found locating his pitches to be more important than ever. Not walking batters can be the difference between victory and defeat, he said.

“The game moves on a lot faster when you eliminate free bags, and when you give them free bags it gives them potential for a big inning,” McClain said. “Eliminating the walks is making them earn everything they get, and that’s pretty much what I’m trying to do, make them earn it.”

McClain also gave credit for his success to the defense behind him. Missouri’s defense has been superb for all of its pitchers, as it has yet to give up more than three runs in any one game.

Missouri coach Tim Jamieson lauded his team for their defensive play, as well. McClain is right to give the defense credit, he said.

“Reggie doesn’t do what he’s doing without the defense behind him,” Jamieson said. “Individual accolades don’t come without the guys around him being solid.”

McClain said he’s grateful to have gotten the recognition, but doesn’t plan on resting on his laurels for the rest of the year.

“We still have a whole season left to play,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll get a couple more by the time it’s all said and done.”

Freshman catcher Brett Bond said he thinks the chemistry between pitchers and catchers has played a large role in the overall success of the pitching staff this year.

“I’ve really gotten to know Reggie, it’s been fun,” Bond said. “We’re starting to get better and better where we’re both thinking on the same page, like what pitch we’re going to throw next and what we’re going to do.”

As a matter of fact, the whole team gets along very well, Jamieson said. Many of the team’s top producers are freshmen, including Bond and pitcher Tanner Houck, but the team has welcomed them and their contributions with open arms. He likened them to a family of sorts.

“They really have a lot of affection for each other and they really like each other,” Jamieson said. “There’s a true affection and appreciation for each other and that’s kind of what you feel. I think it’s sincere and I think it’s legitimate.”

As the team moves on toward more challenging SEC division play, McClain said he thinks pitching will be key to continued success. They’ll need it to be against Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Louisiana State, who come in at one, two and three, respectively, in the nation in team batting average.

“Our whole pitching staff has been effective and will need to continue to be effective,” McClain said. “It’s definitely going to help when we move towards tougher teams, because we’re going to have to grind out wins.”