OU Falls in Series Opener at LSU

Thursday, March 19

Baton Rouge, LA

7 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

17-5, 2-2

LSU

16-7, 2-2

Oklahoma

LSU

March 19, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

BATON ROUGE, La. — No. 8 Oklahoma dropped the series opener at LSU Thursday night in Baton Rouge by a final of 7-1.

After LSU jumped out to a 5-0 lead through two innings, Oklahoma freshman Xander Mercurius hurled four scoreless frames to hold the Tiger offense at bay. OU would score one in the sixth on an error before LSU would add a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The Sooners would threaten in the eighth with a pair of two-out baserunners after a walk and base hit, but a deep fly out to left ended the chance.

LSU starting right-handed pitcher Casan Evans went 7.2 innings and struck out a career-best 15 and had just one walk. It was the most strikeouts by a pitcher vs. the Sooners since 2009.

OU starting left-handed pitcher Cameron Johnson took his first loss of the season, going 1.1 innings and surrendering five runs (one earned) on six walks and no hits to go with two strikeouts. Mercurius went a season-long five innings and gave up two runs on five hits with no walks and tied his career high with four K's.

Oklahoma's four hits came from four different Sooners, while Jason Walk scored OU's only run on the night.

Pitchers of Record

Win: Casan Evans (2-0)

Loss: Cameron Johnson (3-1)

Statistical Snapshot

Jason Walk | 1-for-3, 1 R
Trey Gambill | 1-for-3, 1 BB
Camden Johnson | 1-for-4
Alec Blair | 1-for-4
Cameron Johnson | 1.1 IP, 0 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 2 K
Xander Mercurius | 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Notes

OU dropped to 17-5 on the season, 2-2 in SEC play and 0-2 on the road. OU has suffered consecutive losses for the first time this season.
After registering an extra-base hit in its first 20 games, OU has failed to record one in back-to-back games.
Sooner batters struck out a season-high 16 times Thursday night.
LSU starting RHP Casan Evans registered the most strikeouts for an opposing pitcher vs. OU since 2009 (Kyle Gibson [15], Missouri, 4/3/09)
OU freshman Xander Mercurius had a season-long outing of 5.0 IP after entering the contest with a high of 1.2 IP. His four strikeouts tied for a career best.

Up Next

OU continues its series vs. the Tigers on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on SECN+, along with Saturday's 2 p.m. finale.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma baseball, follow the Sooners on X and Instagram (@OU_Baseball) and like Oklahoma Baseball on Facebook.