LSU - 8, Creighton - 4
David Billiot Jr • March 11, 2026
Tuesday Night Recap
For the first four innings tonight, it was starting to feel like the same old story for the Tigers. Despite scoring first, they quickly gave up the lead and then watched their deficit grow to 4-1. Tonight was the night that LSU said “enough”, though, as freshman Omar Serna delivered the biggest swing of his young collegiate career. On the mound, pitching struggled early. Despite the fantastic start by Reagan Ricken, he struggled when returning after his first inning. Ethan Plog was fantastic his last few appearances, but he, too, lost it towards the end of his outing and allowed runs because of it. But after that, the final three pitchers of the night were fantastic for LSU. Creighton failed to score another run after the 3rd inning, which gave the Tiger offense time to finally come out of hibernation. The win improved LSU’s record to 13-5 as they now turn their attention to the meat grinder that is a 30 game SEC schedule.
Pitching
Reagan Ricken got the start for the Tigers and was fantastic in the 1st. He started things off with a strikeout, then got some help with a nifty play by Steven Milam ranging to his left behind second base and throwing across his body with a beautiful pick at first by Zach Yorke. A pop out would end the top and things were off to a good start. Ricken returned and faced three batters in the 2nd, but didn’t retire any of them. He gave up a lead off single, allowed him to move to second on yet another E1 on a pickoff attempt from an LSU pitcher, then another single tied the game at 1-1. The freshman would walk the next guy and his night was over. As good as his first inning was, the second was the polar opposite.
Final line: 1.0 IP / 2 hits / 2 runs / 1 K / 1 BB / 28 pitches (16 strikes, 57%)
Dax Dathe entered with runners on 1st and 3rd and his outing got off to a bad start by getting called for a pitch clock violation before even throwing a pitch. He’d follow with three straight balls to load the bases and Jay Johnson had seen enough.
Final line: 0.0 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 0 K / 1 BB
Following another great performance on Saturday, Ethan Plog was called upon in a nearly impossible situation to get out of. He got his first hitter down 0-2, but credit Blue Jay left fielder Lew Rice for getting a bat on the ball for a sacrifice fly to center, giving Creighton a 2-1 lead. They’d attempt a safety squeeze, but the bunt was poor and the batter got called for runner’s lane interference on the throw to 1st. Rocco Gump stepped up with 2 outs and hit a laser that Milam dove across his body and snared to save an extra run, escaping the inning with only 2 runs allowed. Plog returned in the 3rd, but following a strikeout to begin the inning, he lost control, walking two in a row and then hit another. That would be the end of his night.
Final line: 1.1 IP / 0 hits / 2 runs / 1 K / 2 BB / 1 HBP
Mavrick Rizy entered with the bases loaded and one out, having only allowed 2 hits through his 7 appearances so far. He’d promptly give up his third, scoring 2 more Blue Jays and extending their lead to 4-1. With the infield in, he got a massive ground out to Milam, holding both runners right where they were and following that with a strikeout to prevent more damage. Back for the 4th, Rizy only allowed a single and watched his star center fielder make another full extension catch in right center, adding to Derek Curiel’s extensive highlight real this year.
Final line: 1.2 IP / 2 hits / 0 runs / 1 K / 0 BB
Deven Sheerin came in for the 5th and allowed a leadoff single. Following his first strikeout looking, Creighton’s Ben North stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a throwing error by Omar Serna, setting up yet another scoring opportunity. Sheerin recorded yet another strikeout looking, followed by a groundout to Milam and stranded the leadoff baserunner. Back for the 6th, Sheerin mowed through the Blue Jays with two strikeouts and a flyout. In the 7th, he hit the leadoff batter, then got a ground ball right back to him to secure the first out at 1st. Now surpassing his season high in pitches, his control slipped and he gave up his first walk. His time was done, but Sheerin was phenomenal.
Final line: 2.1 IP / 1 hit / 0 runs / 4 Ks / 1 BB
With the tying runner on base in a 6-4 game, it was Santiago Garcia who was called upon to enter the jam. It looked as if he hit the first batter he faced and the bases were going to be loaded with just 1 out, but Jay challenged that the batter got intentionally hit and the call was overturned. Garcia then fell behind 2-0 to Isaac Wachsmann, who had already driven in 2 runs, but battled back with a couple of nasty pitches to get the strikeout and end the threat. Back for the 8th, he struck out two and pitched around a bloop double that put a man in scoring position with only 1 out. Garcia returned in the 9th with the opportunity to secure his first save of the season and he did just that with a quick 1-2-3 inning. Like Sheerin, Garcia also surpassed his season high pitch count. Previously, his highest was 29 pitches against Nicholls in game 5 of the season, but he blew past that with 44 tonight. He was outstanding.
Final line: 2.2 IP / 1 hit / 0 runs / 4 Ks / 0 BB
Hitting
The offensive star of the night is Omar Serna and that should serve as no surprise. With the Tigers in a familiar spot where they were trailing halfway though the game, trying to hold on for dear life, and facing another giant opportunity that they could not squander. Despite striking out with the bases loaded in the 1st, Serna found himself in the position yet again. This time, he made it count. He got a 2-0 fastball and blasted it 455 feet in to right center field to give every fan, coach, and player a giant sigh of relief. LSU was up 6-4 and never looked back. He finished 1-3 with the 4 RBI and also drew a walk.
If homeruns are being mentioned, there’s a good chance Jake Brown is involved. He hit his 9th of the year to give the Tigers some insurance runs in the 8th inning. He has now surpassed his previous season high of 8, which he hit last year. Brown has been one of the best hitters in the SEC though the first 18 games of the season and is not expected to slow down, considering 6 of his 8 homeruns in 2025 came during conference play. He finished 2-4 with the 2 RBIs, scored 2 runs, and also walked once. Brown did bring in another run in an earlier at bat, but it was credited as an error on Creighton’s second baseman, so he does not get the RBI.
Zach Yorke bounced back from a rough weekend with his first multiple hit game in a while. He had 2 singles and finished 2-4 and was hit by a pitch, as well. Yorke also made a few picks on low throws at 1st base, which can easily sneak by on the stat sheet.
Steven Milam may have only finished 1-4, but he drove in the first run of the game in the 1st inning to get LSU off to a good start. It appeared as if he was going to pop out in foul territory, but an E2 gave him second life and he took advantage of it. He was also hit by a pitch and scored a run. His defense was, once again, extraordinary. His night was highlighted by a diving catch across his body on a hard hit line drive that would have given the Blue Jays a 5-2 lead earlier in the game.
Up Next
LSU will travel to Nashville to kick off SEC play against Vanderbilt this weekend. Game one will be Friday with a 6 pm central first pitch. Saturday will start at 7 pm and Sunday has one of the later starts you’ll see for an SEC game with a 3 pm first pitch. The Commodores have arguably had an even rougher start to the season than the Tigers, amassing 7 losses prior to conference play. They beat Indiana State 14-6 tonight to improve to 11-7. Vanderbilt will send ace Conner Fennell to the mound on Friday with a 2-0 record and a 3.80 ERA. He has been tough to hit, only allowing 16 hits through 21.1 inning pitched while striking out 30.
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LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.