Three takeaways from LSU baseball's Game 1 loss to Mississippi State

LSU baseball travelled to Starkville hoping to boost its postseason resume vs. the No. 15 Mississippi State Bulldogs. LSU would be playing without star outfielder Jake Brown after the junior broke his hamate bone vs. Texas A&M and was ruled out for the season.

The bad news continued as before the first pitch of tonight's game, Casan Evans was scratched from his scheduled start. Despite that, LSU held a one-run lead as we headed to the bottom of the ninth in this game, but that lead didn't last as the Bulldogs tied the game in the bottom of the ninth and then walked it off in extras.

Here are three takeaways from LSU baseball's loss.

Casan Evans scratched from his start

LSU's Casan Evans (20) pitches the ball during a college baseball game between Tennessee and LSU at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee., on April 3, 2026.

This was a big story as Evans was scratched from the lineup just before the game started, and Gavin Guidry was given the start. After the injury news with Jake Brown and Cooper Williams, most people would undoubtedly assume the worst. From what I have been able to gather, Evans was "not feeling his best." So, it seems like we may still see him sometime this weekend.

LSU was unable to finish

LSU had a one-run lead as they headed to the bottom of the ninth inning, but the lead did not hold. With two outs, the Bulldogs got an RBI single to tie the game. Then, in the top of the tenth inning, LSU loaded the bases, but they were unable to score a run. Finally, in the bottom of the 12th, Mississippi State hit a walkoff two-run homer with two outs to finish the game.

Tigers hit the ball well

Even without Jake Brown in the lineup, the Tigers managed to out-hit Mississippi State 13-10. Omar Serna Jr. led the way for the Tigers hitters, finishing the night 3-for-5 with a homer, two RBI, and a hit by pitch. LSU finally managed to string together quality at-bats, but it wasn't enough to get the win.