LSU Baseball Coach's Mom Unhappy With His Vocabulary After Ejection

Jay Johnson's team rallied for a historic win over Tennessee, but his heated exchange with the umpire drew a rebuke from his mother.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:50am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicting the action and energy of a college baseball game, with sharp overlapping planes representing the raw passion and high stakes involved.A cubist interpretation of the heated exchange between an LSU baseball coach and an umpire, capturing the intensity and emotion of the moment.Baton Rouge Today

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson had a dramatic Easter Sunday, as his team came back from a 5-0 deficit to win 16-6 over Tennessee in 12 innings. But Johnson was ejected in the 9th inning after a heated exchange with the home plate umpire over a called third strike. Johnson's mother, who was watching the game, was not pleased with the language he used in chewing out the umpire, especially on Easter Sunday. Despite the ejection, LSU went on to win the game in dramatic fashion.

Why it matters

Johnson's outburst highlights the intense emotions and high stakes involved in college baseball, where a single call can significantly impact a team's chances of winning a crucial conference series. The incident also sheds light on the challenges coaches face in balancing their competitive drive with maintaining composure and setting a good example, especially in front of their own family members.

The details

In the 9th inning, with LSU trailing 5-4 and the go-ahead run at the plate, umpire Eric Goshay called a third strike on LSU's Cade Arrambide that Johnson felt was a very low pitch. Johnson rushed out of the dugout to argue the call, using what he described as a "couple of different words" that his mother, who was watching the game, did not approve of. Johnson was then ejected from the game, but LSU went on to rally for 10 runs in the 12th inning to win 16-6.

  • In the 9th inning, with LSU trailing 5-4 and the go-ahead run at the plate.
  • Johnson was ejected from the game after his heated exchange with the umpire.

The players

Jay Johnson

The head coach of the LSU baseball team, who was ejected from the game for arguing a called third strike that he felt was a poor call.

Cade Arrambide

The LSU player who was at the plate when the controversial third strike call was made, and who had already hit two home runs in the game.

Eric Goshay

The home plate umpire who made the controversial third strike call that led to Johnson's ejection.

Beverly Johnson

Jay Johnson's mother, who was watching the game and was not pleased with the language her son used in arguing the umpire's call.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yep, my mother was not happy with me, especially on Easter Sunday. But I really believed what I said.”

— Jay Johnson, LSU Baseball Coach

“At that point, the players were going to do do it, if we were going to win the game from that point forward. As soon as I went out there, I knew I wasn't going to be finishing the game in the dugout.”

— Jay Johnson, LSU Baseball Coach

What’s next

Johnson will not play catcher Omar Serna Jr. in LSU's next game on Tuesday against Bethune-Cookman as a precaution, after Serna was involved in a collision at home plate on Sunday. Serna was evaluated for a concussion but did not show any symptoms.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the intense emotions and high stakes involved in college baseball, where a single call can significantly impact a team's chances of winning a crucial conference series. It also shows the challenges coaches face in balancing their competitive drive with maintaining composure, especially in front of their own family members.