LSU Baseball Hosts Texas A&M in Pivotal SEC Series Opener

Jay Johnson's Tigers look to bounce back after a sweep against Ole Miss and keep their postseason hopes alive.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant colors depicting the action of a college baseball game, with players' bodies and equipment dissolving into abstract geometric shapes.The high-stakes matchup between the LSU Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies is captured in a fragmented, cubist-inspired illustration that reflects the intensity and unpredictability of their pivotal SEC baseball series.Baton Rouge Today

The LSU Tigers baseball team will host the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday night to open a crucial SEC series at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge. After suffering a series sweep to Ole Miss last weekend, LSU is in need of a win to stay in contention for the postseason. Texas A&M comes in ranked in the top 10 nationally and tied for second place in the SEC standings.

Why it matters

This series represents a pivotal moment for the LSU baseball program, as they look to rebound from a tough sweep and keep their postseason aspirations alive. A series win over the highly-ranked Aggies could provide a major boost to the Tigers' resume and help them regain momentum in SEC play.

The details

LSU will send sophomore right-hander Casan Evans to the mound for the series opener, while Texas A&M counters with junior left-hander Shane Sdao. The Aggies enter the series with a 28-7 overall record and a 9-5 mark in SEC play, tied for second in the conference standings. They are led offensively by outfielder Caden Sorrell, who is batting .368 with 12 doubles, 17 home runs and 57 RBIs. Infielder Gavin Grahovac (.360, 11 HR, 49 RBIs) and infielder Nico Partida (.351, 7 2B, 11 HR, 37 RBIs) have also been key contributors for the Aggies.

  • The series opener is set for Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m. CT.

The players

Jay Johnson

The head coach of the LSU Tigers baseball team.

Casan Evans

The sophomore right-handed pitcher who will start on the mound for LSU in the series opener.

Shane Sdao

The junior left-handed pitcher who will start on the mound for Texas A&M in the series opener.

Caden Sorrell

The Texas A&M outfielder who is batting .368 with 12 doubles, 17 home runs and 57 RBIs.

Gavin Grahovac

The Texas A&M infielder/outfielder who is batting .360 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles and 49 RBIs.

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What they’re saying

“When I look at the success that we've had here, a lot of pride comes from the strength of the mental game of the team in tight spots. This team hasn't exhibited that. So we're going to have to, or it's not going to get to where we want to go.”

— Jay Johnson, LSU Tigers Head Coach

“We've come back in several games and won. We have several comeback wins. So they show some fight at times where it's like a dog backed into the corner with a bigger dog. You better swing and claw and scratch or the dog's going to eat you. So we've shown some of that.”

— Jay Johnson, LSU Tigers Head Coach

What’s next

The series will continue on Saturday and Sunday, with the final two games also taking place at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge.

The takeaway

This series represents a crucial opportunity for the LSU Tigers to bounce back from a tough sweep and keep their postseason hopes alive. A series win over the highly-ranked Texas A&M Aggies could provide a major boost to the Tigers' resume and help them regain momentum in SEC play.