The LSU Tigers finally got their first game of the year against Nicholls State before hopping on a bus to Texas after weather messed up LSU's plans. The Tigers moved this game to Baton Rouge and will play later in the season at Nicholls State. The biggest surprise came when the lineup was released as Jay Johnson started Freshman William Schmidt as Gavin Guidry has yet to appear.
William Schmidt got himself in trouble early allowing two singles to start the game and when he looked to be out of the jam an error by Tanner Reaves loaded the bases. Schmidt was able to limit damage but, allowed an unearned run putting LSU behind 1-0 in the first.
The Tigers fought right back in the bottom half of the first making Nicholls State pay for two free passes as Daniel Dickinson drove him in with a single to left field. The Tigers then pushed another run across on a bases loaded walk by Cade Arrambide before Stevn Milam drove in two with an RBI single making it 4-1 LSU.
In the second inning, LSU had Nicholls State right where they wanted them as Jared Jones was up with no one on and two outs which worked in the first inning and this time, LSU cashed in as Jared Jones blasted his second home run of the year to left.
Pucker Up & Kiss It@bearjones_3 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/MceUTKjpZH
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) February 25, 2025
Nicholls State would score again in the fifth on a wild pitch that Cade Arrambide couldn't corral. Schmidt finished his first LSU start going 4.2 innings allowing five hits and two runs one of which was earned but, the best part of his start was not giving any free passes.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, LSU's offense exploded starting with a three run bomb by Steven Milam.
MONSTER MASH@Monster_Milam99 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/dLKhJQ0pws
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) February 25, 2025
Derek Curiel then hit an RBI Single scoring Chris Stanfield before a Jared Jones RBI single brought Curiel home to make it 10-2 Tigers.
LSU's Bullpen got into some trouble in the 7th loading the bases with just one out but, Mavrick Rizy came in and limited the damage allowing just one run. In the bottom half of the 7th Nicholls State made the mistake of loading the bases for Jared Jones who sent a ball to the deepest part of the park and as the centerfielder was driven back he dropped the ball allowing LSU to score a pair. The Tigers won on a walk off wild pitch giving LSU a 13-3 win over their In-State Rival.
Jared Jones was incredible for the Tigers in this game going 2-2 with 3 RBIs, a Homerun, a pair of walks, and two stolen bases. The only batter who was as impressive as Jones was Steven Milam who went 2-3 with a homerun, a walk, and 5 RBIs helping power the Tigers offense.
William Schmidt got the win as a result of LSU winning by mercy rule which should be the first of many in his LSU career. DJ Primeaux gave the Tigers an inning of 1 hit baseball in relief followed by Jaden Noot who struggled and Mavrick Rizy who was solid in relief.
The Tigers head on the road to Texas immediately following the game as they'll face off against Dallas Baptist on Wednesday.
