BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – LSU Baseball has some challenges to overcome after getting swept in back-to-back series to Ole Miss, then at home to Texas A&M, but the freshmen are already stepping up.
Now, in what Coach Jay Johnson calls a ‘gut punch,’ the team must continue without one of their champion starters.
LSU utility Jake Brown (7) runs during an NCAA baseball game against North Alabama on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)(Matthew Hinton | AP)
Jake Brown, a junior outfielder, is now out for the season thanks to that broken hand requiring surgery, which likely ended his LSU career. Brown is reportedly eligible for the draft.
“He’s easily one of my favorite players of all time,” said Coach Johnson, who called Brown one of the most valuable players on the National Championship team.
Confidence might have been restored after winning against UNO at The Box on Tuesday, April 21, thanks to three freshmen in the starting lineup: Omar Serna, Jack Ruckert, and William Patrick.
LSU catcher Omar Serna Jr. (25) bats during an NCAA baseball game on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)(Matthew Hinton | AP)
Coach Johnson says freshman Patrick has some characteristics similar to those of Brown and Ethan Frey, two players you’d certainly like to be compared to.
“He’s got all the athletic talent and tools, probably the fastest player I’ve ever had,” the coach said.
“He’s got all the athletic talent and tools probably the fastest player I’ve ever had”
Jay Johnson says William Patrick has some similar characteristics to Jake Brown and Ethan Frey.
Two players you’d certainly like to be comp’d to. #LSU pic.twitter.com/wpqVMuvuEk
— John Eads WAFB-TV (@JohnEadsWAFB) April 22, 2026
Brown gave Patrick some fun-loving advice before getting his first career start in right field.
“Get a size shoe a little bit bigger than what you have…you have big shoes to fill,” Brown told him.
Patrick says Brown is a great leader and is glad to look up to him.
“Get a size shoe a little bit bigger than what you have…you have big shoes to fill”
Jake Brown gave William Patrick some fun-loving advice before getting his first career start in right field.
Patrick says Brown is a great leader and is glad to look up to him. #LSU pic.twitter.com/Dz4m6CIrGC
— John Eads WAFB-TV (@JohnEadsWAFB) April 22, 2026
Ruckert was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against UNO. The freshman is showing out with a 2-3, 2 RBI night at the plate and steady play in the field.
“I think he’s gonna be one of those guys we know what we can count on.”
Tigers won the game against UNO with a final score of 10-7.
Next, the team heads to Starkville to battle the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a series that kicks off Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m.
Coach Johnson says that LSU needs to be one of the best offensive teams in college baseball.
“We’re gonna get back to that whether that’s this weekend or in 2027”
Jay Johnson says that #LSU needs to be one of the best offensive teams in college baseball
An adjustment in practice helped the offense capture some of the flow that’s eluded it for the majority of the year. pic.twitter.com/kZscx1Zulc
— John Eads WAFB-TV (@JohnEadsWAFB) April 22, 2026
“We’re gonna get back to that, whether that’s this weekend or in 2027.”
Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.
Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Watch the latest WAFB news and weather now.
Copyright 2026 WAFB. All rights reserved.