In a midweek matchup, LSU baseball rallies and defeats Nicholls for the eighth consecutive victory.

For seven innings on Tuesday night, it looked like Nicholls might shock the baseball world. The Colonels, visiting Alex Box Stadium for a midweek showdown, had LSU on the ropes. But in front of an energized home crowd, the Tigers reminded everyone why they remain one of the most resilient teams in college baseball.

Down three runs entering the bottom of the eighth, LSU exploded for five unanswered runs and rode clutch relief pitching to secure a 7-5 comeback victory over Nicholls. The win marked LSU’s eighth straight and showcased a team finding its rhythm in the heart of the season.

A Battle From the Start

Midweek games can often bring unpredictable energy, and this one lived up to the billing. LSU head coach Jay Johnson opted for a staff day on the mound, using a mix of bullpen arms to get through nine innings. Nicholls, meanwhile, came out aggressive, swinging early in counts and playing fearless baseball.

The Colonels struck first, putting up a pair of runs in the top of the third thanks to a double into the left-field corner and a bloop single that fell between three Tigers defenders. LSU responded in the bottom half with a run of its own, thanks to freshman catcher Brady Neal’s sacrifice fly, but the early tone had been set: Nicholls wasn’t going away quietly.

In the fourth and sixth innings, the Colonels extended their lead, pushing it to 5-2. Sophomore outfielder Edgar Alvarez tormented LSU pitching with two hits and a stolen base, while designated hitter Trevor Seguin drove in a pair with a hard-hit double to right-center.

By the end of the seventh inning, it appeared the Tigers might fall victim to a classic midweek trap game—until the eighth rolled around.

The Turning Point

The energy in the ballpark shifted when LSU shortstop Michael Braswell stepped to the plate to lead off the bottom of the eighth. The South Carolina transfer, who has become a steady presence in the Tigers’ lineup, ripped a first-pitch fastball into left for a single. What followed was a display of plate discipline, timely hitting, and raw determination.

After a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one out, sophomore slugger Jared Jones stepped into the box. On a 2-1 count, he launched a towering fly ball that barely cleared the wall in right field—grand slam. The Box erupted. What had been a quiet Tuesday night game suddenly turned into a celebration.

“That was a huge moment,” Jones said postgame. “I was just trying to get something I could drive and help the team get back in it. Thankfully, I got a pitch I liked, and it worked out.”

With a 6-5 lead in hand, LSU wasn’t done. Paxton Kling followed with a double, and later scored on a single by Tommy White, giving the Tigers a critical insurance run. The rally was complete, and LSU had flipped the script in just one inning.

Closing the Door

In the top of the ninth, the Tigers turned to freshman closer Griffin Herring, who has grown into a reliable weapon out of the bullpen. Herring made quick work of the Colonels, striking out two and inducing a weak grounder to end the game.

“He’s just got that dog in him,” Coach Johnson said of Herring. “We trust him in those spots, and he delivered again tonight.”

The save was Herring’s fourth of the season and underscored the growing confidence Johnson has in his bullpen—something that will be critical as SEC play continues.

A Statement of Resilience

LSU’s win over Nicholls may not have come in an SEC showdown or a nationally televised weekend series, but it might just be one of the most important games of the season in terms of identity. Good teams win blowouts; great teams find ways to win when things aren’t going their way.

“That’s what this game teaches you,” Johnson said. “Baseball humbles you. You can be down three, four runs and still win if you don’t give up. These guys believe in each other, and they showed it tonight.”

The Tigers are now 27-9 on the season, and while their SEC record remains a work in progress, their recent run of form—including this gritty comeback—suggests that LSU is beginning to peak at the right time.

Offensive Standouts

While Jared Jones’ grand slam stole the headlines, several other Tigers made key contributions:

• Michael Braswell went 3-for-4 and continues to set the table effectively for the middle of the order.
• Paxton Kling doubled twice and scored two runs, demonstrating why scouts remain high on his blend of power and speed.
• Tommy White, the power-hitting third baseman, added another RBI to his growing total and made a critical diving stop in the fifth to save a run.

Collectively, LSU’s offense showed patience at the plate, drawing five walks and working deep counts that eventually wore down the Nicholls bullpen.

Pitching by Committee

On the mound, LSU used six different pitchers to get through the night. Sophomore righty Aiden Moffett earned the win, throwing a scoreless eighth and giving the Tigers a chance to mount their rally.

“Everyone had a role tonight,” pitching coach Nate Yeskie said. “It wasn’t perfect, but we found ways to get outs when we needed them most.”

The staff surrendered nine hits and issued three walks, but clutch pitching with runners on base kept Nicholls from building an insurmountable lead.

Looking Ahead

LSU’s eight-game win streak comes at a pivotal time. This weekend, the Tigers return to SEC action against Mississippi State in a highly anticipated series that will test the limits of their recent momentum.

“This is the kind of game that can launch you into the next one,” Jared Jones said. “We feel good, but we also know the SEC grind is real. We’ve got to keep building.”

If the Tigers can carry the energy and confidence from Tuesday night into their conference play, they may very well find themselves climbing the rankings again. The resilience they showed against Nicholls was more than just a win—it was a reminder of their championship DNA.

Fan Reactions and Atmosphere

Despite being a midweek matchup, the Alex Box crowd turned out in strong numbers, with more than 8,000 fans in attendance. The eighth-inning explosion brought the stadium to life, and fans were chanting and stomping in unison as Herring shut the door.

“I’ve never doubted this team,” said LSU junior and long-time fan Madison Dupree. “They always seem to find a way, and tonight was one of those magical nights. I’m so glad I was here to witness it.”

The players took a victory lap around the field after the final out, high-fiving fans and soaking in the atmosphere. It was a celebration that felt like more than just another win—it was a statement that LSU baseball is heating up.

Nicholls Leaves With Respect

For Nicholls, the loss stings, but the Colonels earned the respect of many in Baton Rouge. Head coach Mike Silva praised his team’s effort postgame.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Silva said. “We played with toughness and competed against one of the best teams in the country. We’ll learn from this and get better.”

The Colonels fell to 21-13 on the season but have proven they can compete with high-level programs, and their performance at Alex Box won’t be forgotten soon.

LSU’s comeback win over Nicholls won’t show up in the highlight reels of college baseball’s biggest moments—but for the Tigers, it might be one of the season’s defining games. It was a gritty, hard-fought, character-building performance that showcased the team’s depth, toughness, and belief.

As the SEC gauntlet intensifies and postseason dreams begin to take shape, LSU knows it can look back on this Tuesday night rally as a turning point—a game where they were tested, pushed, and ultimately prevailed.

In a sport where every pitch can change a season, the Tigers proved they’re not just talented—they’re tough. And that’s a combination that makes them dangerous as April rolls on.