LSU baseball showcased its growth by defeating the Nicholls Colonels in a commanding performance on Monday night.
The most notable standout performance from the Tigers team was sophomore shortstop Steven Milam. Following the team’s first loss two days ago, his 180 to near perfection is also reflected in the team around him.
After a slow start to his season Milam was 3-for-3 in the third game of the Omaha series, where, like Milam, the team found its rhythm.
Adjusting to the new role as a shortstop after a standout freshman season at second base, Milam delivered a stellar performance offensively and defensively Monday night.
Down five and in need of a run, Nicholls hit a line drive to right field just inches away from a diving Josh Pearson. With a textbook opportunity to reach third, they tried to stretch it. Milam had other plans.
Pearson recovered quickly and got the ball on target to Milam. Milam transferred it perfectly and delivered a laser to Tanner Reaves for the third out of the inning.
He went 2-for-3 at the plate with five RBI, including a home run to break open the game.
“I mean staying positive and trying to get back to who I am, and I mean it’ll start going my way eventually. I saw that tonight; it’s like riding a bike,” Milam said.
Milam wasn’t the only Tiger showing marked improvement. After a tough showing in last weekend’s tournament against Omaha, LSU’s offense looked much sharper and more patient at the plate.
The Tigers capitalized on scoring opportunities, stringing together quality at-bats and driving in runs when it mattered.
Jared Jones continues to personify patient at bats. He was 2-for-2 with two walks, three RBI and his second home run of the 2025 season.
Throughout the game, Nicholls handed LSU seven walks and four hit batters, 11 total free bases. In Saturday’s loss, those freebies went nowhere. On Tuesday, they amounted to a seven-inning mercy rule, winning 13-3.
“I like the way they handled it. We’re a far superior team today than what we were 56 hours ago; the game went exactly how I wanted it to go,” head coach Jay Johnson said.
Williams Schmidt made his starting debut with three strikeouts and just five hits in 4.2 innings. In the fifth, he allowed Nicholls to score off a single due to three separate wild pitches. Schmidt was replaced by DJ Primeaux thereafter.
Their only other earned run came in the last inning following two walks by Jaden Noot and Mavrick Rizy hitting a batter.
Rejuvenated offense is exactly what was needed from this team on Monday. With players like Ashton Larson, Jake Brown and Reaves making a narrowed starting nine so difficult, there should be no shortage of offensive options. Especially with Milam back to his old ways.
LSU plays No. 19 Dallas Baptist in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
