Updated March 8, 2026, 8:57 p.m. CT

LSU baseball took the field Sunday looking for a pivotal series win vs. Sacramento State. The Tigers fell short, losing 6-1.

William Schmidt, who entered the series as one of the hottest pitchers in the nation, got the start for the Tigers. He was solid, but not quite to the level he was last week. Schmidt pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three earned runs. He struck out eight without issuing a walk.

Sacramento State struck first, scoring two runs in the third inning. The second of those runs came on a throwing error as defense continues to be a problem point for Jay Johnson’s squad.

Sacramento State padded its lead in the sixth, adding three more runs to take a 5-0 lead.

At the plate, LSU still couldn’t get anything going. Sunday made it back-to-back games where LSU was shut out through the first six innings.

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LSU managed to plate a run in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough and Sac State held on for a comfortable win.

With the loss, LSU falls to 12-5 on the year. The Tigers have one game remaining before conference play begins. There are a lot of questions about this roster with the schedule about to get a lot tougher.

Below is LSU Wire’s live blog of LSU baseball vs. Sacramento State.

FINAL: Sacramento State 6, LSU 1

LSU dropped the series against the Hornets. It recorded six hits and got runners on base but couldn’t bring them around.

Simpson strikes out

LSU is down to its final out. Harden is at the plate.

Groundout advances Yorke

Braun grounded out to the right side. Yorke made it to second base on the play. Simpson is at the plate with one out.

Yorke draws leadoff walk

The first baseman is aboard. Braun is at the plate.

Hornets held scoreless

Rizy did his job, recording a scoreless frame in the top of the ninth inning.

LSU has one more chance to either tie or take the lead. The Tigers trail 6-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning. Yorke, Braun and Simpson are scheduled to hit.

E8: Sacramento State 6, LSU 1

Arambide flied out to center field for the final out of the eighth inning. LSU stranded two more runners, failing to plate a run in the frame.

Mavrick Rizy is in to pitch for LSU to start the top of the ninth.

Two runners on for LSU

Brown walked and Dardar singled to right field. With two outs, LSU has runners on first and third base. Arrambide is at the plate.

Strikeout ends threat

Garcia got the lone batter he faced to go down looking. Sacramento State added a run on a sacrifice bunt to go up 6-1 headed to the bottom of the eighth inning.

LSU will send Milam, Brown and Curiel to the plate.

Hornets score on bunt

Sacramento State had runners on first and third with one out. A sacrifice bunt down the right side allowed another run to score as LSU conceded the run for the out. The Hornets lead 6-1.

Left-handed pitcher Santiago Garcia is coming into the game with a runner on second and two outs.

E7: Sacramento State 5, LSU 1

LSU got one run on an RBI single by Simpson but a fly out by Harden ended the inning.

Guidry remains in the game to begin the top of the eighth inning.

LSU scores first run

The Tigers are on the scoreboard. A single to left field by Simpson allowed Arrambide to score from second base. Harden is due up for LSU with Yorke on second and Simpson on first.

The Hornets are making their first pitching change of the game, bringing in righty Trevor Wilson. Starter Carson Timothy went 6.2 innings and limited LSU to one unearned run on five hits. He is responsible for both runners on base.

LSU gets two runners on

Arrambide reached on an error then Yorke sent a single the opposite way. It is the first time LSU has two runners on base in one inning.

Braun is at the plate with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Final line for Schmidt

LSU starting pitcher William Schmidt pitched well despite not getting any help from the LSU offense. He’s currently in line for the loss.

Schmidt pitched 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits. The sophomore righty picked up eight strikeouts.

Guidry records scoreless frame

Guidry retired three of the four batters he faced in the top of the seventh inning. He kept the Tigers’ deficit at five runs.

Dardar, Arrambide and Yorke are due up for LSU.

E6: Sacramento State 5, LSU 0

LSU went down in order for the third time to end the sixth inning. Guidry remains in the game for the Tigers to begin the top of the seventh inning.

Strikeout ends rally

Guidry got a strikeout to end the top of the sixth inning but the damage was done. The Hornets scored three runs with two outs in the frame to extend their lead to five runs.

Milam, Brown and Curiel are due up for LSU.

Hornets score two more

A single grounded into left field allowed two more runs to score, giving Sacramento State a 5-0 lead. The Hornets have a runner on second base with two outs.

Guidry issues bases-loaded walk

Guidry walked Jeremiah on five pitches, pushing another run across the plate. Sacramento State leads 3-0 in the top of the sixth inning. Guidry remains in the game.

Williams exits after hitting batter

The bases are loaded after Williams hit the only batter he faced. Righty Gavin Guidry is coming in for LSU to try and get the third out of the inning. He faces Jace Jeremiah, who is 0-2.

Schmidt lifted in sixth

Johnson came out to get Schmidt with runners on first and third base and two outs in the top of the sixth inning. Lefty Cooper Williams is coming in to pitch for LSU.

Schmidt went 5.2 innings and allowed one earned run on four hits. He didn’t surrender a walk and picked dup eight strikeouts. He is responsible for both runners on base.

E5: Sacramento State 2, LSU 0

Harden grounded out to the second baseman for the final out of the fifth inning. Braun was stranded on second base.

LSU has runner in scoring position

Braun singled to center field and advanced to second base on a throwing error by the pitcher. He’s in scoring position with Harden at the plate and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Schmidt hurls another scoreless frame

For the second-straight inning, the Hornets went down in order. Schmidt picked up his seventh strikeout of the game and induced a groundout and fly out.

Yorke, Braun and Simpson are due up for LSU. The Tigers still trail 2-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth.

E4: Sacramento State 2, LSU 0

Curiel hit a one-out single to right field but was stranded at first base. A groundout by Dardar and strikeout by Arrambide ended the fourth inning.

Flashy play from Milam ends top of fourth

Milam flashed the leather again at shortstop. His quickness resulted in the third out of the top of the fourth inning.

LSU will send Brown, Curiel and Dardar to the plate in the bottom half. It is chasing a two-run deficit.

E3: Sacramento State 2, LSU 0

LSU went down in order to end the third inning. The heart of Sacramento State’s lineup is due up to begin the fourth.

Curiel records diving catch

LSU center fielder Derek Curiel went airborne for the second out of the third inning. His catch saved a run from scoring for the time being.

Arrambide throws out runner

After committing an error, Arrambide recover. He threw out a Sacramento State runner attempting to swipe second base, ending the inning. The Hornets scored two runs in the top of the third inning.

Brayden Simpson, Daniel Harden and Milam are due up for LSU.

Challenge unsuccessful

LSU lost its challenge and has one remaining for the rest of the game. The previous Hornet batter struck out swinging but got to first on a throwing error by the catcher, which allowed a run to score.

LSU uses challenge

A dropped third strike prompted a throw to first base by Arrambide but it hit the runner’s helmet, allowing another run to come around and score. The Hornets lead 2-0, for now.

Head coach Jay Johnson spoke with the umpires about whether the runner stayed in the base path and touched the correct base. The umpires are reviewing the play.

Hornets strike first

With one two outs and a runner on first, Harry hit a fly ball to left field. Braun couldn’t make the grab, allowing the ball to roll to the wall and a run to score. Sacramento State leads 1-0.

E2: LSU 0, Sacramento State 0

LSU was retired in order to end the second inning.

Schmidt is back on the mound. He used 24 pitches and has three strikeouts thus far.

Curiel, Schmidt combine for three outs

Curiel ran down two fly balls for the first two outs of the second inning. Schmidt got a strikeout to end the frame, capping a second straight one, two, three inning.

Cade Arrambide, Zach Yorke and Mason Braun are due up for LSU.

E1: LSU 0, Sacramento State 0

Dardar went down swinging to end the first inning, stranding Brown at first base.

Milam, Curiel robbed of extra bases

Milam crushed a ball to right field but the Hornets’ right fielder Erick Dessens made a leaping catch to send the Tigers’ shortstop back to the dugout. Two batters later, center fielder Sam Harry ran down a fly ball hit by Curiel.

Brown singled and gave LSU its first base runner. Seth Dardar is at the plate with two outs.

Schmidt retires first three batters

The Tigers starting pitcher picked up two strikeouts and induced a groundout to send his team to the plate. Steven Milam, Jake Brown and Derek Curiel will lead off for LSU.

What channel is LSU baseball vs. Sacramento State on today?TV Channel: Streaming onlyLivestream: SEC Network+ via ESPN+

LSU baseball vs. Sacramento State will be streaming only on SEC Network+, which is available through the ESPN app and ESPN+. Fans will need a subscription to watch the game.

What time is the LSU baseball game today?Date: Sunday, March 8First pitch: 6:00 p.m. CT

The LSU baseball vs. Sacramento State game has a first pitch at 6:00 p.m. CT from Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA.

Stream LSU baseball vs. Sacramento StateLSU baseball vs. Sacramento State: LSU lineup

Jay Johnson is trying something new today. Steven Milam will bat leadoff and Derek Curiel will hit No. 3. Inbetween Milam and Curiel is Jake Brown. Seth Dardar hits cleanup and gets the start at third base. Brayden Simpson earns the start at 2B after Jack Ruckert started the last two games at the position. Daniel Harden hits No. 9 and is the DH.

LSU baseball vs. Sacramento State Prediction

LSU Baseball 5, Sacramento State 4: LSU has been a hard team to pick, but I don’t see them dropping a home series to Sacramento State. LSU battles it out and finds a way to get the win.

The weather will impact parking and more

LSU has issued guidance to fans attending tonight’s game. Heavy rain in Baton Rouge has affected roads and travel. LSU is encouraging fans to use “travel apps to assist in navigating around hazards and arriving at the stadium safely.”

The Hayfield Lot will be closed and LSU is telling fans to avoid all grass lots.

LSU Baseball ScheduleWhich version of the LSU offense will show up today?

On Friday, LSU’s lineup erupted for 15 runs. The Tigers racked up the extra base hits and combined for six home runs. On Saturday, LSU went dormant. The Tigers totaled just six hits, most of which came in the final two innings. This offense has been inconsistent this year to say the least. We’ll see which version we get on Sunday night.

William Schmidt looks to maintain hot start

LSU sophomore pitcher William Schmidt looks to keep rolling on Sunday afternoon. The sophomore has lived up to his billing so far in 2026, emerging as a legitimate starting pitcher. Given the way LSU’s lineup is hitting right now, LSU needs Schmidt ready for a potential pitcher’s duel.