LSU Splits Exhibition Doubleheader With Samford
The Tigers won the opener 4-1 before dropping the nightcap by the same score in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Baseball
LSU baseball took the first game of an exhibition doubleheader against Samford 4-1 in seven innings, then lost the second game 4-1 in seven innings. Both games were played at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Why it matters
The split gives LSU's coaching staff an early look at its freshman class in live game conditions ahead of the upcoming fall exhibition schedule. Early results in exhibition play carry no bearing on the official season record.
Casan Evans recorded five strikeouts across two innings in the opener, while three LSU freshmen contributed home runs across the doubleheader. Malachi Washington and Lucas Nawrocki were ranked No. 17 and No. 13 nationally by Prep Baseball, and Parker Loew was ranked No. 88.
The players
LSU Tigers
The Louisiana State University baseball program, a member of the Southeastern Conference, fields one of college baseball's most decorated programs and plays its home games at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Samford Bulldogs
The Samford University baseball program, based in Birmingham, Alabama, competes in the Southern Conference and faced LSU in this exhibition doubleheader.
Malachi Washington
A freshman third baseman for LSU from Stone Mountain, Georgia, ranked No. 17 nationally by Prep Baseball, who hit a solo home run in the first game.
The details
LSU won the first game with a solo shot from freshman third baseman Malachi Washington and a two-run blast from freshman designated hitter Lucas Nawrocki. Samford took the nightcap 4-1 despite a solo home run from freshman second baseman Parker Loew.
Timeline
Sunday, November 2, 2026: LSU splits exhibition doubleheader with Samford in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Sunday, 1:30 p.m.: LSU hosts Troy at Alex Box Stadium.
November 13, 2026: LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana at the Box.
Season Trajectory
Early exhibition production from highly ranked freshmen like Washington, Nawrocki and Loew follows a pattern of LSU's recruiting classes contributing right away. Those contributions could shape the rotation and lineup decisions that define the program's standing in the Southeastern Conference as the season approaches.
Fans tracking the early roster can watch how freshmen Washington, Nawrocki and Loew perform in upcoming home games at Alex Box Stadium. The exhibition results offer an early read on which newcomers may earn lineup spots once the official season begins.
The takeaway
Early exhibition results rarely decide a season, but they do show which freshmen are ready to contribute right away. Watching how those players perform in the next home games will indicate where LSU's lineup may be headed.
What happens next
LSU hosts Troy at Alex Box Stadium on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., followed by a home game against Southeastern Louisiana at the Box on November 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the program's new arrivals, see the latest Baseball coverage from Baton Rouge.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TigerRag.com - The Bible of LSU Sports.
