For the past two years, Cougar baseball has had a pair of right handed starters leading the pitching staff. Seniors Griffin Smith and Luke Meyers both joined the Cougs last year, and now they are closing out their careers in the Crimson and Gray.

Listening to why they chose WSU, the duo sound eerily similar.

“I was in junior college at the time and I got an offer out here,” Meyers said. “One of my old coaches at my JUCO was an assistant here at the time. It was my first visit that I took and it just felt like home and I committed the next day.”

“My JUCO coach heard one of [head coach Nathan Choate’s] podcasts talking about how he likes athletic pitchers [and] strike throwers and my coach thought that clicked pretty well and made a phone call… the rest is history I guess,” Smith said.

Smith joined the Cougs out of Rock Valley Community College where he set program records for single season strikeouts (113), wins (11) and innings pitched (77) in his sophomore year. He chose the small college in Illinois in large part because of family.

“Originally my brother decided to go the JUCO route too,” Smith said. “I liked what he had to say and what his coaches had to say about it. I was a little undersized out of high school, so JUCO was my route to go.”

Smith was not a hot commodity out of high school, making Rock Valley the perfect landing spot.

“They were the first school I actually talked to and went on a visit and things kind of just clicked,” he said.

When the pair of righties arrived at WSU, their first taste of Division I ball came against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the SEC.

“Arkansas was a fun one,” Meyers said. “That was my first D1 game. It was a lot of our first D1 games. A lot of us were JUCO guys. But. that was a really fun atmosphere to play in.”

As a team full of JUCO transfers, freshmen and first time Cougs, Meyers and Smith were able to fit in well. Now with two years in the books, they have some great memories built up.

“I love going on the road,” Meyers said. “Travelling with the team and going out to eat and going to the beach… Really fun to build those connections with everyone.”

“The bus rides,” Smith said. “We spend a lot of time with each other on the road. Playing little games. Mafia is a team favorite.”

While the team enjoys a bit of fun on the road, both seniors did not pick the Cougs for horseplay and giggles. After two years working with coach Choate, both appreciate the drive that he brings to the team.

“Challenging, but in a good way,” Meyers said. “He sets the standard really high for us. He makes practices feel like game environments which is good… I think we all hold ourselves to really high standards here and I think that’s part of the culture.”

“Serious,” Smith said. “If you’re not really about it, then this probably isn’t the program for you. But, if you really want to shoot for the stars on the field and off the field, I think this is a great place.”

That seriousness is something that the Cougs’ third starter has picked up on. Redshirt sophomore Nick Lewis dominated batters from the left side last year, and has done the same thing this season. As the two starting arms working alongside him, Meyers and Smith both realize how impactful he has been.

“I think he’s just really confident and really believes in himself,” Meyers said. “Every time he goes out on the mound he gives us a chance to win and I think he’ll continue to do that for the rest of his time here.”

For Smith, he gets a much closer look at what makes Lewis so successful.

“He’s my roommate so I see him go about his work every day and I just respect him a lot for it,” he said. “He comes in every day and he’s the same kid. He’s super consistent and the results show on the field. So, I think he’s a great person.”

With the duo of seniors graduating, it leaves Lewis as the only seasoned starter in the rotation. However, if Meyers’ and Smith’s praise are any indication, the young lefty will be primed for more success down the line.

Meyers similarly had success last year, both as a starter and a reliever. Mid-way through the schedule Choate transitioned Meyers to a reliever role. In the last stint of the season, Choate moved him back to his starting spot. Despite the whirlwind of responsibilities, Meyers stayed focused on his goal.

“Giving the team whatever they need,” he said. “Whether that’s starter or reliever or whatever. I think just giving us the best chance to win. My attitude doesn’t really change based on that.”

With their college careers almost over, both seniors have no intention of quitting baseball anytime soon.

“Stick with baseball as long as I can,” Smith said. “Whether that’s playing, coaching or passing down knowledge to the future generations. I think sticking around the sport would be one of my biggest goals.”

“I’m just going to keep playing as long as I can,” Meyers said. “Whether that’s draft, indie ball, whatever it is… I want to be involved in baseball in some way. I feel like that’s just where I’m gonna go in life and where I can impact the most people.”