Jay Johnson Trusts Derek Curiel in LSU Baseball Cleanup Spot

LSU baseball defeated Tennessee 7-5 on April 3, 2026, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The victory was highlighted by a late-inning surge that secured the series opener for the Tigers.

The turning point occurred in the top of the eighth inning. LSU entered the frame trailing 4-1 and had been retired 14 consecutive times before the rally began.

With two outs and the bases loaded, sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel hit an opposite-field grand slam. The home run erased the three-run deficit and gave LSU a 5-4 lead.

Immediately following Curiel’s grand slam, fifth-year senior Seth Dardar hit a solo home run of his own to extend the lead to 6-4.

Late Game Execution

In the ninth inning, senior Chris Stanfield added an insurance run with a solo home run, which was his second home run of the season. The Tigers maintained the lead to finish the game with a 7-5 victory.

The win marked the third consecutive comeback victory for LSU. The team’s record following the game stood at 21-10 overall and 5-5 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Tennessee, which now holds a record of 19-11 overall and 3-7 in the SEC, had held the lead for much of the contest. The Volunteers gained their advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning when Reese Chapman hit a two-run home run.

Chapman finished the game 3-for-3 against LSU starter Casan Evans.

Pitching Performance

Tennessee starter Landon Mack dominated the early stages of the game. Mack struck out 10 batters and allowed only three hits through the first seven innings.

Mack was removed from the game before the eighth inning after throwing 94 pitches. This transition proved critical, as the Tigers’ offense broke through shortly after his departure.

On the defensive side, LSU relief pitcher Deven Sheerin recorded a significant strikeout in the eighth inning to strand two Tennessee runners and protect the lead.

Lineup Strategy

LSU coach Jay Johnson has recently adjusted the Tigers’ lineup to find a more consistent rhythm. These changes included moving freshman Omar Serna toward the top of the batting order.

The infield has seen Seth Dardar take over at second base and sophomore John Pearson handle third base.

The decision to move Derek Curiel into the cleanup spot proved pivotal on April 3, 2026. Earlier in the week, Johnson stated that he trusted Curiel in that role, noting that there was no one taking better at-bats of late.