When Jared Lominski was a freshman, a coach asked him what went through his mind when he dug into the batters box.

“I told him, 'Nothing,'” Lominski said, smiling. “His jaw about dropped.”

Lominski has carried that same basic approach throughout his high school career on the Moniteau baseball team.

Now a senior, it has served him very well, especially during his monster campaign this year.

“I just go out there and basically see ball, hit ball,” Lominski said. “I make it pretty simple.”

Getting Lominski out has been anything but simple for Moniteau opponents this spring.

Lominski is batting .472 with two home runs — both coming at cavernous Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park — four doubles, four triples and 23 RBI in just 36 at-bats.

The No. 4 hitter in the Warriors' lineup, Lominski has certainly been cleaning things up.

Even the curveball isn't the kryptonite for Lominski that it used to be.

“I've been working on the curveball a little bit and it's starting to actually improve,” Lominski said. “It's nice to see. Every pitcher is different and the speeds are different. You just have to sit back and be disciplined. I feel that's what I'm starting to do. I'm starting to see the ball better, see the seams out of the pitcher's hand.”

Lominski has also showed patience at the plate.

The Moniteau lineup is a deep one — the Warriors are batting .311 as a team — and Lominski has ample protection around him.

It hasn't stopped opposing pitchers from being careful when dealing with Lominski, though.

Lominski has walked 14 times this season to just six strikeouts.

“I've had the same approach for the last three years now as a DH and now moving into catcher,” Lominski said. “No matter where I get put in the lineup, I'm just going to do my job and hit people in, or at least get on base, try to get walked to get us a little jump.

“That all goes back to practice,” Lominski added. “We have guys working hours and hours working off tees and hitting. It starts with these guys. We have nine guys who can make things happen no matter what.”

Lominski is also acclimating to his new role behind the plate.

He caught sparingly for the Warriors last season behind Wyatt Geibel.

Lominski did catch extensively on his summer travel ball team, however.

“It was a little bit of a transition, but travel ball helped me with the transition the last few years,” Lominski said. “I love catching. It's a tough job, but I love to do it.”

Lominski has committed just one error behind the plate this season.

His real value, though, has been his handling of the pitching staff.

Senior Chance Nagy also plays on Lominski's summer travel team. He said Lominski has a knack of settling down even the most frazzled hurler.

“He always puts a smile on your face,” Nagy said. “There's been times when I've four-pitch walked people right off the bat and he'll come out and encourage me.”

Often with a funny remark.

“Maybe I'll crack a joke or two,” Lominski said. “Something to get them in a better mindset and try to stay positive. That's my No. 1 goal. Stay positive. Baseball is such a mental game and even in tough times if you can stay positive you can accomplish anything.”