Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Adam Guth (44) at Cowboy Diamond in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Friday, April 22, 2022. (Kirk Meche / Special to the American Press)

Pitching in big games is nothing new to Adam Guth. He’s been doing that since he was a freshman in high school.

But tonight will be extra special for the freshman left-hander from Southeastern Louisiana.

Guth will get his first chance at pitching from the mound in Joe Miller Ballpark, just a few miles from where he grew up.

“I’m excited to be back home and to get to throw in front of family and friends,” said Guth. “I do miss my home town.”

Guth was 13-1 while at Barbe, helping the Bucs win a pair of state championships. Tonight at 6 p.m. he will throw against his hometown college, McNeese State, in Game 2 of their Southland Conference series.

“We played a couple games there when I was in high school and I always wanted to pitch on that field,” said Guth. “It’s exciting to get that chance.

“I thought about going to McNeese but in the end I wanted to go away to school. Going against them will be fun.”

Guth said he will have plenty of friends and family in the stands rooting for him even if he will be the enemy this time in Lake Charles. As a sophomore at Barbe, the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder threw a perfect game against St. Louis Catholic and once fanned 15 in another win.

He has taken those skills to Hammond where he is 1-1 with a 5.90 earned run average in 29 innings of work. Guth was named the SLC Pitcher of the Week for his performance against then No. 1 Old Miss back in March.

He allowed three hits and just one run in the Lions’ victory.

Guth is not the only local pitcher playing for the Lions. Kyle Bartley, a sophomore from Sam Houston High, has appeared in five games as a reliever.

After starting the season as a weekday pitcher, Guth moved up to weekend starter when conference play began for SLU. The Lions have won all three of his Southland starts.

“I didn’t know how much I would pitch this year to be honest,” Guth said. “I got the chance and am trying to run with it.”

That chance has led him right back home for tonight’s game just a long toss from where he played as a kid.