Tigers Defeat Nicholls in Midweek Road Matchup, 5–3

THIBODAUX, La. — In a gritty midweek contest that tested depth, composure, and timely execution, the LSU Tigers baseball team outlasted the Nicholls Colonels, 5–3, on the road Tuesday night at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.

Despite some early challenges and stiff resistance from a scrappy Nicholls squad, the Tigers showed their mettle and improved to [insert record], keeping their midweek momentum alive while gaining valuable experience away from Alex Box Stadium.

The win, while not without its tense moments, offered another step in LSU’s ongoing effort to solidify its identity in all phases of the game — especially on the mound, where new arms continue to emerge.

Early Trouble, Timely Recovery

The Tigers didn’t waste time getting on the board, plating a run in the top of the first on an RBI single from junior outfielder Josh Pearson, who extended his hit streak to six games with a sharp liner into right-center. However, Nicholls, known for their aggressive base running and energy at home, quickly answered.

LSU starter Zack Little ran into early trouble in the bottom half of the inning, walking the leadoff batter before surrendering back-to-back singles that tied the game at 1–1. A sacrifice fly gave Nicholls a 2–1 lead before Little settled down to escape further damage.

The Tigers responded in the third with a two-out rally, as Paxton Kling drew a walk, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on Hayden Travinski’s double off the left-field wall. The next batter, Tommy White, followed with an RBI bloop single to give LSU a 3–2 lead.

“It was good to see the guys battle back right away,” head coach Jay Johnson said postgame. “That’s something we’ve emphasized — responding after adversity, especially on the road.”

Midgame Pitching Duel

As the game entered the middle innings, both bullpens took center stage. For LSU, sophomore reliever Griffin Herring was electric, tossing three scoreless innings while striking out five and walking none. His ability to mix speeds and stay ahead in counts gave the Tigers a much-needed cushion and stability.

Nicholls’ bullpen, meanwhile, kept the Tigers quiet through the fifth and sixth innings, thanks to the left-handed combo of Jacob Mayers and Tyler Thibodaux, who kept LSU hitters off-balance with late-breaking sliders and well-located fastballs.

The Colonels tied it up at 3–3 in the bottom of the sixth after a throwing error and back-to-back singles, prompting Johnson to go to his bullpen again. Samuel Dutton, a junior right-hander, came on and induced a double play to stop the rally, shifting momentum back to LSU.

“That double play was huge,” Johnson said. “Sam’s been through a lot of tough innings in his career. We trusted him, and he came through.”

Offensive Spark in the Seventh

The top of the seventh proved decisive.

With two outs and a runner on first, sophomore infielder Gavin Guidry roped a triple into the right-field corner, driving in what would become the game-winning run. On the very next pitch, Guidry sprinted home on a wild pitch to push the score to 5–3.

“I was looking for something away and just tried to keep my hands through it,” Guidry said. “Once it got past the right fielder, I knew I had to get to third. Then Coach Johnson gave me the green light — it felt great to score that run.”

The Tigers’ dugout erupted as LSU reclaimed the lead for good, and from that point forward, the bullpen took over.

Lockdown Bullpen, Clutch Finish

Junior right-hander Christian Little pitched a clean seventh and eighth, striking out four of the six batters he faced while showing improved velocity and command. His fastball touched 96 mph on the radar gun, and his slider had tight, late bite — signs that he’s returning to form as LSU looks to bolster its late-inning options.

In the ninth, Gage Jump came in to close the door. After issuing a leadoff walk and allowing a bloop single, Jump struck out the next two batters and forced a routine grounder to end the game, picking up his second save of the season.

“We’re really proud of the way our bullpen competed,” Johnson said. “That’s how you win tight games — you throw strikes, make defensive plays, and stay calm. It wasn’t perfect, but we finished it.”

By the Numbers

• LSU Hits: 9
• Nicholls Hits: 7
• LSU Strikeouts (Pitching): 13
• Walks Issued: 3
• Errors: 1 (LSU), 2 (Nicholls)
• Left on Base: LSU – 8, Nicholls – 6

Top Performers:

• Gavin Guidry: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 triple
• Josh Pearson: 2-for-5, RBI
• Christian Little: 2 IP, 4 K, 0 H, 0 BB
• Griffin Herring: 3 IP, 5 K, 0 R

Bigger Picture: Midweek Wins Matter

While midweek games may not carry the same weight as SEC showdowns, they remain critical for momentum, RPI, and player development. For LSU, it was another chance to evaluate bullpen depth and give reps to underclassmen while keeping the offense sharp.

“We treat every game the same,” Johnson emphasized. “Whether it’s a conference series or a Tuesday night on the road, the standard is the standard. You show up, compete, and win.”

The Tigers have now won [insert number] of their last [insert number] midweek games, a significant improvement from last season, when midweek inconsistency created headaches in postseason seeding.

These games also allow LSU to test younger arms in real environments. Tonight, that included sophomore Aiden Moffett and freshman Brayden Guidry, who each got one inning of work earlier in the season and continue to build trust with the coaching staff.

Postgame Quotes

Jay Johnson, Head Coach:
“We didn’t play our cleanest game, but we responded when we needed to. Gavin [Guidry] had a big hit, and our bullpen stepped up. It’s a good team win. Now we turn the page and get ready for the weekend.”

Christian Little, RHP:
“I’ve been working on getting ahead in counts. That was the difference tonight. When I trust my stuff, good things happen.”

Gavin Guidry, INF:
“Anytime you can help the team win, it feels great. I just want to do my job when my number is called.”

What’s Next for the Tigers?

With this midweek win in the books, the Tigers now shift their focus to a pivotal three-game weekend SEC series against the [insert opponent, e.g., Ole Miss Rebels]. The series will be played at Alex Box Stadium, where LSU will look to continue its climb in the conference standings and sharpen its lineup before the postseason.

Johnson hinted at possible rotation tweaks, noting that the pitching staff is “still evolving,” with the postseason looming.

“There’s competition at every spot,” Johnson said. “That’s what you want this time of year.”

A Gritty Road Win That Builds Character

Midweek games on the road are never easy — especially against in-state opponents like Nicholls, who bring high energy and a chip on their shoulder. Tuesday night was no exception.

But in the end, LSU’s talent, depth, and resilience shined through. Whether it was clutch hitting, shutdown relief pitching, or situational execution, the Tigers found a way to win. And as the calendar turns to the back half of the season, these experiences will prove invaluable.

In the world of college baseball, it’s not just how you win — it’s that you win. And on a humid Louisiana night in Thibodaux, the Tigers did just that.