LSU Baseball Prepares for 2026 Home Opener

Head Coach Jay Johnson discusses starting pitching lineup and competitive roster ahead of season opener against Milwaukee.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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LSU Baseball Head Coach Jay Johnson addressed the media ahead of the Tigers' 2026 home opener against Milwaukee. Coach Johnson revealed the starting pitching rotation for the weekend series and discussed the depth and competitiveness of the team's roster, which includes both veteran players and high-profile transfers.

Why it matters

As the reigning College Baseball National Champions, LSU is poised to build on their success and make another run at the title. The depth and talent of their roster, with a mix of experienced players and highly-touted newcomers, will be key to their chances of repeating as champions.

The details

Coach Johnson announced that Casan Evans will start the Friday game, Cooper Moore will take the mound on Saturday, and William Schmidt will pitch the Sunday matchup. Both Evans and Derek Curiel were recently named to the Golden Spikes award Preseason Watch List. Johnson also spoke about the difficulty in determining the lineup due to the team's wealth of talent, noting that the Tigers have a 'terrific bullpen' and 'a lot of options' when it comes to their pitching staff.

  • The 2026 LSU Baseball home opener is set for 2 p.m. CT on February 14, 2026.
  • The Tigers will face off against the Milwaukee Panthers in the non-conference matchup.

The players

Jay Johnson

The head coach of the LSU Baseball team, leading the Tigers as they look to build on their national championship season.

Casan Evans

A veteran pitcher for the LSU Tigers who was recently named to the Golden Spikes award Preseason Watch List.

Cooper Moore

A pitcher for the LSU Tigers who will start on Saturday in the opening weekend series.

William Schmidt

A pitcher for the LSU Tigers who will start on Sunday in the opening weekend series.

Derek Curiel

A pitcher for the LSU Tigers who was recently named to the Golden Spikes award Preseason Watch List.

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What they’re saying

“We have a terrific bullpen on this team and a lot of options.”

— Jay Johnson, Head Coach, LSU Baseball (lsureveille.com)

“I think it's good for the team when you can get more guys involved in winning.”

— Jay Johnson, Head Coach, LSU Baseball (lsureveille.com)

What’s next

The LSU Tigers will open their 2026 season on February 14th against the Milwaukee Panthers at Skip Bertman Field at Alex Box Stadium.

The takeaway

With a talented roster featuring both veteran players and high-profile transfers, the LSU Tigers are poised to make another run at the College Baseball National Championship in 2026. The depth and competitiveness of the team's pitching staff will be a key factor in their success this season.