Bethune-Cookman Upsets Reigning National Champion LSU, 10-7

HBCU baseball program makes history with first-ever win over the Tigers at Alex Box Stadium

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game, with the players and field broken down into overlapping planes of bright colors representing the teams.Bethune-Cookman's historic upset of defending champion LSU showcases the talent and determination of HBCU baseball programs.Baton Rouge Today

In a stunning upset, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats defeated the defending national champion LSU Tigers 10-7 on Tuesday night in Baton Rouge. The HBCU baseball program earned its first-ever victory over the powerhouse SEC program, overcoming a late deficit with a five-run seventh inning rally.

Why it matters

This victory represents a landmark moment for Bethune-Cookman and HBCU baseball as a whole. HBCUs operate with far fewer resources than elite Division I programs like LSU, making this upset all the more remarkable. The Wildcats' grit, discipline, and fearless play in a hostile environment showed they can compete with the best teams in college baseball.

The details

Bethune-Cookman (23-10, 10-2 SWAC) trailed 6-5 heading into the seventh inning, but erupted for five runs on just two hits. The key sequence included two bases-loaded walks and a fielding error that allowed two unearned runs to score. LSU sent five pitchers to the mound in the inning, unable to stop the Wildcats' rally. Bethune-Cookman reliever Jean Carlos Zambrano then shut down an LSU comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh, striking out the side with the bases loaded.

  • The Wildcats defeated LSU on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Bethune-Cookman won the 2025 SWAC Baseball Tournament last season.

The players

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

An HBCU baseball program competing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

LSU Tigers

The defending national champion college baseball team, having won their seventh NCAA title in 2023.

Jean Carlos Zambrano

The Bethune-Cookman relief pitcher who earned the save, striking out the side with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning.

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What they’re saying

“It's a tough loss tonight, there's no getting around that. We had a really tough seventh inning; the difference in the game was our inability to control the strike zone on both sides of the ball in that seventh inning.”

— Jay Johnson, LSU Head Coach

What’s next

Bethune-Cookman will look to build on this historic win as they continue their SWAC conference schedule, while LSU will try to rebound when they travel to face Ole Miss this weekend.

The takeaway

This victory for the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats is a landmark moment for HBCU baseball, proving that programs with fewer resources can compete with and defeat the elite powers of college baseball. The Wildcats' grit, discipline, and fearless play in a hostile environment showed the college baseball world that they are a force to be reckoned with.