Mik’d Up! With Mikie Mahtook & Jared Mitchell

LSU Baseball Right Fielder Jake Brown joins the studio following the Tigers' dramatic 2-1 series victory over Tennessee in Knoxville (April 3–5, 2026). The series was capped by a record-breaking 16-6 extra-inning win on Easter Sunday, which propelled LSU back into the D1Baseball Top 25 at No. 24. LSU vs. Tennessee Series Recap The Tigers (22-11, 6-6 SEC) secured their first road series win at Lindsey Nelson Stadium since 2016 through a pair of late-game comebacks. Game 1: LSU 7, Tennessee 5 – Derek Curiel hit a go-ahead grand slam in the 8th inning to erase a 4-1 deficit. Game 2: Tennessee 4, LSU 1 – The Volunteers evened the series behind a dominant pitching performance from Cam Appeneller. Game 3: LSU 16, Tennessee 6 (12 innings) – A historic rubber match where Cade Arrambide set an LSU record with four home runs, including a grand slam during a 10-run 12th-inning explosion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here are the key takeaways regarding his stance on the MLB and his future at LSU: 1. Direct Stance on MLB Interest "Zero Interest": Johnson flatly denied looking to make a jump to professional baseball, stating, "I have zero interest in that at this time." No Offers Made: He clarified that he has not been offered a position by any Major League club. Watching Former Peers: The topic arose in part because former Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello recently made the jump directly from college baseball to managing the San Francisco Giants. While Johnson noted that he thinks Vitello's move is "cool and awesome" and is following it closely, he acknowledged that moving straight from college to the MLB is "a completely different game and a different world." 2. Full Commitment to LSU Focused on a Dynasty: Johnson reiterated that he is completely invested in building the Tigers' program. He noted, "I'm fully into this. There is a lot that we need to do to be the best we can be. We want to be the best program in the country forever." Historic Contract: In September 2025, LSU signed Johnson to a massive seven-year, $23.45 million contract extension running through 2032. Starting at $3.05 million annually, it made him the highest-paid coach in college baseball. Unprecedented Success: In his first four seasons at the helm, Johnson brought two National Championships to Baton Rouge (2023 and 2025) The primary challenge for the Tigers' rotation involves dealing with a significant injury while keeping the bullpen fresh for long relief: The Cooper Moore Injury: Junior right-hander Cooper Moore (transfer from Kansas) is sidelined for a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks with triceps soreness. Moore had been a steadying force in the middle of the weekend rotation. Shifting Roles: Sophomore righty Casan Evans remains the absolute anchor and reliable arm, holding down the Game 1 (Friday) starting spot. Sophomore right-hander William Schmidt was moved up into a Saturday starting slot. Coach Johnson has opted to go with a "to be determined" bullpen day or late-week decision for Sunday games rather than naming a locked-in starter, letting the first two games dictate who is fresh. Relief Reliance: Coach Johnson and staff are leaning heavily on arms like Zac Cowan and Santiago Garcia to eat up high-leverage and multi-inning scenarios out of the bullpen. Offensive Lineup Adjustments While the pitching staff navigates injuries, the LSU offense has finally broken out of an early-season slump, batting a collective .357 over a recent 5-game stretch. Johnson has kept the core intact but is manipulating the designated hitter and middle infield spots to ride the hot bats: The Power Surge: In a dominant 16-6 midweek run-rule victory over Southern on March 31, 2026, the Tigers smashed four grand slams. Core Leaders: Shortstop Steven Milam (who hit two of those grand slams), center fielder Derek Curiel, and right fielder Jake Brown remain the non-negotiable anchors of the daily lineup. Earning the DH Spot: 5th-year senior Seth Dardar was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week heading into this stretch, solidifying his spot in the lineup alongside freshman power-hitter Mason Braun. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Finding Their Competitive Edge After starting SEC play with series losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, this weekend appeared to be a significant turning point for Jay Johnson's squad. Resilience under Pressure: In the series finale, LSU faced a 7-0 deficit by the third inning. The team responded with a relentless offensive attack, scoring 17 runs—the program's largest comeback win since 2024. Offensive Explosion: The Tigers' bats came alive with 16 hits in the finale, including critical home runs. John Pearson: Hit a grand slam in the third to jumpstart the rally. Seth Dardar: Delivered a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth. Derek Curiel: Contributed a solo home run and finished 3-for-5. Pitching Stability: While the finale was a high-scoring "marathon" involving eight LSU pitchers, Game 2 featured a dominant shutout performance that proved the staff can shut down top opponents when needed. Halfway Point Shift: Players like Derek Curiel noted that the team intentionally decided this week would be a "turning point" and a "new era" for the second half of the season. The series win improved LSU's record to 19-10 (4-5 SEC), moving them out of the bottom tier of the conference standings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LSU Baseball head coach Jay Johnson and the Tigers may finally be "turning the corner" after a dominant 15-5 run-rule victory over Louisiana Tech on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. This win snapped a period of inconsistency where the team dropped back-to-back SEC series to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. The Tigers currently hold a 17-9 overall record (2-4 in the SEC) as they head into a critical home series against No. 19 Kentucky. Midweek Momentum: The run-rule win over Louisiana Tech featured a season-high 15 runs on 14 hits, with standout performances from Zach Yorke (two home runs) and Derek Curiel (3-for-5). SEC Struggles: Despite a hot 8-0 start to the 2026 season, LSU has struggled in conference play, particularly in one-run games. Johnson noted that "one-run games are going to determine the ceiling of a season," emphasizing a need for better fundamental play. Pitching Challenges: The rotation is currently managing the loss of starter Cooper Moore, who is expected to miss 3-4 starts due to a forearm/triceps injury. Coach's Strategy: Johnson is actively "unlocking roster depth," frequently rotating positions to find the most effective lineup and keep players healthy for the long haul. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LSU Baseball Recent Performance Overall Record: 16-9. SEC Record: 2-4. Series Results: Lost two straight SEC series to Vanderbilt (on the road) and Oklahoma (at home). Recent Form: LSU has gone 6-7 over its last 13 games, including a non-conference series loss to Sacramento State earlier in March. Reasons for Concern ("The Panic") Pitching Inconsistency: LSU’s team ERA of 4.31 ranks last in the SEC. The staff has struggled with command, notably walking 27 batters in a single weekend during the Vanderbilt series. Lack of Complementary Play: Analysts note a "disconnect" where the offense often fails when pitching is strong, and the pitching staff struggles when the offense finally produces. Historic Non-Conference Losses: The Tigers suffered five non-conference defeats before SEC play, their most since 2020. Reasons for Optimism Individual Stars: Pitcher Casan Evans recently struck out a career-high 15 batters in a win over Oklahoma, the most by an LSU pitcher in an SEC game since Paul Skenes in 2023. Offensive Production: Players like Jake Brown (.419 AVG, 11 HRs) and Derek Curiel continue to provide elite production at the plate. Championship Pedigree: Head coach Jay Johnson has led LSU to two national titles in the previous three years (2023, 2025), and the roster remains one of the most talented in the nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bullpen Adjustments: Coach Johnson noted the staff "needs help" after issuing 26 walks in the previous series. Zac Cowan and Santiago Garcia are expected to play critical roles in relief after strong recent performances—Garcia earned his first save on March 10, and Cowan pitched 3.1 scoreless innings against Vanderbilt. Rotation Stability: While the weekend starters are set, Johnson has indicated he is "digging through layers" to determine better pitch calling and usage. Lineup and Position Battles The lineup remains fluid as the team seeks more offensive production to support the pitching staff. Projected Starters: The core remains led by Steven Milam (SS), Derek Curiel (CF), and Jake Brown (RF). Key Transfers: Zach Yorke (1B) and Trent Caraway (3B) continue to anchor the corners, with Caraway recently recording elite exit velocities. Active Battles: The second base and DH spots have seen the most rotation, with Tanner Reaves and Seth Dardar frequently in the mix. Freshman Mason Braun has also forced his way into DH consideration following a strong spring. LSU enters this series unranked and statistically at the bottom of the SEC in ERA (5.04), making this matchup against former Tiger Cameron Johnson (now Oklahoma's ace) a pivotal turning point for the season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LSU (14-7, 1-2 SEC) has fallen out of the D1Baseball Top 25 and Baseball America rankings for the first time this season following a 1-2 series loss to Vanderbilt. Despite scoring 31 runs over the weekend, the Tigers' pitching struggles and inconsistent offense led to their first SEC series loss of the 2026 season. Fri (Game 1) Loss 12–13 LSU erased a 10-4 deficit with 8 unanswered runs but lost on a 2-run walk-off homer in the 9th. Sat (Game 2) Loss 3–11 Vanderbilt’s Wyatt Nadeau limited LSU to 4 hits and 3 runs to secure the series win for the Dores. Sun (Game 3) Win 16–9 LSU avoided the sweep behind Jake Brown’s career-high 6 RBIs and a late offensive explosion. Key Takeaways Jake Brown’s Dominance: The right fielder was a bright spot, leading the team with a .422 batting average and driving in 6 runs in the series finale alone. Pitching Instability: Weekend starters Casan Evans and Cooper Moore struggled with command and efficiency, combining for 10 earned runs in just 7 innings of work over the first two games. Ranking Fallout: After starting the season as a consensus preseason No. 2, the defending champions dropped out of the Top 25 after going 6-7 over their last 13 games. Clutch Hitting Concerns: While the Tigers found their bats on Sunday, Saturday's "lifeless" 4-hit performance highlighted ongoing issues with offensive consistency. LSU returns to Baton Rouge to host Grambling State at Alex Box Stadium on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. CT. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LSU Baseball Head Coach Jay Johnson LIVE To Address The Start of 2026 & Preview Vanderbilt | Ask M&M LSU Baseball head coach Jay Johnson addressed the media today, March 11, 2026, to discuss the team's start to the season and preview the upcoming SEC opening series against Vanderbilt. Season Start & Current Status Overall Record: LSU is 13–5 heading into conference play. Recent Momentum: The Tigers recently defeated Creighton 8–4 on Tuesday, March 10, snapping a period of inconsistency. Key Concerns: Johnson noted recent struggles with offensive consistency and defensive execution, as the team hit a rough patch losing four of six games in early March. Standout Performance: Freshman catcher Omar Serna Jr. hit his first career grand slam in the win over Creighton, providing a needed spark for the lineup. Vanderbilt Series Preview LSU travels to Nashville to face #13 Vanderbilt at Charles Hawkins Field to begin Southeastern Conference play. The Challenge: Johnson emphasized that the "jungle" of the SEC requires a high standard of preparation, especially against a talented Vanderbilt roster. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LSU Baseball enters a critical juncture following a "miserable" 1-4 week that saw them drop a home series to Sacramento State. Despite a preseason No. 2 ranking and being the favorite to win the 2026 SEC championship, the Tigers have hit an offensive wall, losing four of their last five games as they approach conference play. LSU Offensive Turnaround Strategy Head coach Jay Johnson and players have identified several keys to reversing the current slump: Lineup Stability: Johnson is currently "mixing and matching" at second and third base to find the right balance between defense and offensive production. Situational Hitting: The Tigers have struggled significantly with runners in scoring position (RISP), recently going just 6-for-40 (.150) in such situations. Veteran Returns: The team is awaiting the return of Chris Stanfield, a veteran presence who provided a "shot in the arm" for the offense in previous seasons. Adjusting Practice Formats: Johnson hinted at returning to his "traditional practice format," suggesting the recent schedule may not have optimally set the team up for success. Pitch Recognition: Analysts noted that hitters have struggled to adjust timing from high-velocity scrimmages to slower-tossing non-conference opponents What is Happening in SEC Baseball Top Ranked Teams: Texas (11-0) currently leads the conference power rankings, followed by Florida, LSU, and Mississippi State, all sitting at 11-1 as of the latest weekly update. Preseason Favorites: In the annual coaches' poll, LSU was picked to win the SEC title, receiving 9 first-place votes. Upcoming Schedule: LSU faces Creighton at home on March 10 before traveling to Vanderbilt for their first SEC series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Weekend Recap (Feb 27 – March 1, 2026) LSU secured three victories over the weekend, driven by elite starting pitching while the offense remained largely quiet. Friday, Feb 27: LSU 5, Dartmouth 2. Reliever Gavin Guidry (3-0) earned the win with 3.2 scoreless innings. Saturday, Feb 28: LSU 3, Northeastern 1. Cooper Moore (3-0) delivered a dominant 7.2-inning start, allowing just one run on three hits with 10 strikeouts. Sunday, March 1: LSU 3, Dartmouth 0. William Schmidt (3-0) pitched a career-high 7.1 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. LSU's Offense: Cause for Concern? While LSU is currently ranked No. 1 and has an 11-1 record, the lineup's production has become a talking point among fans and analysts. Situational Hitting Struggles: Through Sunday, the Tigers were just 2-for-23 (.087) with runners in scoring position over the weekend. Low Hit Totals: LSU managed only five hits in the 3-1 win over Northeastern on Saturday and has relied heavily on opponent miscues (walks, errors) to score runs. Head coach Jay Johnson noted that the team is capable of winning in various ways, but acknowledged there are things the offense can do "a lot better". Despite the "milk carton" offense, LSU's pitching staff combined for 41 strikeouts and only six walks over the three-game stretch, masking the plate struggles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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