Pitching and Homeruns Carry LSU Over Northwestern St
David Billiot Jr • April 16, 2026
LSU - 4, Northwestern St - 2
Tuesday Night Recap
Entering Tuesday on a 4-game losing streak, LSU was in desperate need of a win. That was apparent when Jay Johnson sent bullpen ace Zac Cowan to the mound to start the game. The Tigers have found themselves down early in plenty of midweek games this year, the emphasis was to try and prevent needing a comeback effort. Although it wasn’t a large deficit, LSU still fell behind after a 2nd inning homerun. Midweek pitching has been suspect for most of the season, but the staff was excellent against Northwestern. They struck out 16 Demon hitters, while only walking 2. Jay’s emphasis on winning the game was further proven by going to Deven Sheerin to close the game out, which he did.
While the pitching has struggled in the midweek games, the offense typically has not. Despite only scoring 7 in a loss to Bethune-Cookman a week ago, they had exploded for two double digit wins the previous two games. That was not the case this week, though. Although they recorded 9 hits, the situational offense was suspect, missing more opportunities as we’ve seen throughout the year. All 4 runs that LSU scored crossed home plate on homeruns. They only struck out 4 times, but as a whole, the Tigers were just underwhelming once again.
Pitching
Zac Cowan did what Jay Johnson was hoping for in the 1st, which was getting the Tigers off to a good start. After a flyout and an infield hit, the senior struck out back to back hitters to prevent the Demons from getting anything going. That changed in the 2nd, as Northwestern got a leadoff bloop single, but it was quickly erased on a double play. Demon right fielder Bryce Johnson lined out to John Pearson, who had all day to throw the runner out at 1st base with him attempting a steal. With 2 outs and a 3-2 count, Austrailian catcher Mason Wray blasted his first homerun of the season to Left Field Landing. Cowan would record a groundout back to himself to end the inning and with 34 pitches, he would not return for the 3rd inning.
- Final line: 2.0 IP / 3 hits / 1 run / 2 Ks / 0 BBs / 34 pitches (22 strikes, 65%)
Grant Fontenot was looking to bounce back from a rough start on Sunday, in which he only recorded an out in the 1st inning. His 3rd inning on Tuesday night was far better, though. He went 3-up, 3-down while striking out two. Returning for the 4th, he went 1-2-3 again, including a very nice slow-roller play by Brayden Simpson, who was lined up at shortstop in the shift. Another groundout and his third strikeout of the night got LSU right back in to the dugout with the Tigers looking for their first lead. After two fantastic innings, that would be the end for Fontenot.
- Final line: 2.0 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 3 Ks / 0 BBs / 32 pitches (23 strikes, 72%)
Reagan Ricken took the mound to start the 5th and gave up a first pitch single through the left side. He then threw the ball away on a pickoff attempt, which has happened far too often for Tiger pitching this season. A catcher’s interference would put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs, setting up a sacrifice bunt. The Demons retook the lead on a groundout to Steven Milam, who had to make the play to 1st base. Ricken’s night would be over with 2 outs and a runner at 3rd.
- Final line: 0.2 IP / 1 hit / 1 run / 0 Ks / 0 BBs / 14 strikes (10 strikes, 71%)
Connor Benge entered to try and record the final out and with a lineout to Chris Stanfield, he did just that. He returned for the 6th and started off with a strikeout. A 1-out double on a groundball that took an awful hop on Mason Braun at 1st base would get a runner in to scoring position. Benge fought back with a strikeout, but that would be all. He has quietly put together some solid outings the past few weeks.
- Final line: 1.0 IP / 1 hit / 0 runs / 2 Ks / 0 BBs / 12 pitches (9 strikes, 75%)
With 2 outs in the 6th and a runner on 2nd, Jay turned to Cooper Williams. He came through with a strikeout and that was it for his night.
- Final line: 0.1 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 1 K / 0 BBs / 5 pitches (4 strikes, 80%)
Marcos Paz entered to start the 7th and was fantastic. He struck out the side on three full-counts. His 96 mph is some of the most effortless velocity that I’ve ever watched in person. He’s going to be a stud in this program. His night would end after the one flawless inning.
- Final line: 1.0 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 3 Ks / 0 BBs / 19 pitches (11 strikes, 58%)
Zion Theophilus took over for the 8th and issued the first walk of the game for LSU pitching. He threw one pitch to the second batter, a foul ball, then was removed. There wasn’t a trainer out on the field, so it appeared as if Jay just didn’t like what he saw:
- Final line: 0.0 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 0 Ks / 1 BB / 5 pitches (1 strike, 20%)
Santiago took over for Theophilus and struck out his first hitter. A wild pitch and an error on John Pearson put runners on the corners with 1 out, then a walk loaded the bases. Jay, visibly frustrated, scurried out of the dugout to make another pitching change.
- Final line: 0.1 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 1 K / 1 BB / 12 pitches (6 strikes, 50%)
Badly needing to win a game, Jay had to turn to Deven Sheerin with the bases loaded and only 1 out. As he always does, he came through with a massive strikeout and then a pop out in foul territory to Pearson to end Northwestern’s biggest threat since the 5th. He returned for the 9th and blew right through the Demon lineup, striking out the side to close out the 4-2 win.
- Final line: 1.2 IP / 0 hits / 0 runs / 4 Ks / 0 BBs / 25 pitches (16 strikes, 64%)
Hitting
Jake Brown had the biggest swing of the night. While down 2-1 in the 5th, a baserunning error threatened to waste a giant opportunity. But the star outfielder stepped up and blasted a 3-run homerun to take the lead. That was his 16th homerun of the season, which doubles his total from 2025. I asked Brown after the game about the power surge and if that was a conscious effort in the offseason, to which he confirmed that it was to try and fill the power void of Jared Jones and Ethan Frey having moved on to the MLB.
Speaking of homeruns, Brayden Simpson transferred to LSU from High Point after hitting 22 homeruns a year ago. Not that anyone realistically expected him to come close to that total, it has been slightly surprising that he had yet to leave the yard this year. That all changed on Tuesday night when he hit a 425 foot bomb off of the batter’s eye in center field to tie the game. After his big swing that extended LSU’s 7-run inning on Sunday, Simpson has strung together a few games of good at bats. Unfortunately, it was him who had the big baserunning blunder prior to Brown’s homerun. It was a play that just cant happen, especially from a senior. His homerun was his last at bat of the night, because he was pulled from the game following the mistake. He should have opportunities to bounce back this weekend, as Seth Dardar continues to recover from his ankle injury.
Steven Milam, Derek Curiel, and John Pearson each had 2 hits on Tuesday night. One of Milam’s hits was a double, the only one of the night for the Tiger offense.
Up Next
Having now improved their record to 23-15, LSU will welcome in Texas A&M to Baton Rouge to kick off the second half of SEC play. The Aggies come in with a 10-4 record in conference play, tied for 2nd in the league. They are coming off of a rare 2 game sweep of Texas last weekend with game 3 on Sunday eventually getting cancelled due to rain all day on Sundaqy. With a 6-9 record following being swept in Oxford last weekend, LSU desperately needs a series win this weekend. First pitch for game 1 will be Friday at 6 pm central.
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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.
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