LSU Tigers star Derek Curiel delivers an electrifying eighth-inning grand slam against the Tennessee Volunteers on Friday night.
The 2026 season hasn't gone the way that the LSU Tigers had hoped, but their star player delivered a massive moment on Friday night as Derek Curiel hit an eighth-inning grand slam to give the Tigers the lead over the Tennessee Volunteers.
It was about as emotional as Curiel has been, pointing to the name across his chest as he rounded third, screaming and celebrating with his teammates. LSU would go on to win the game 7-5 and get off to a 1-0 start in this SEC series.
After the game, the center fielder spoke to Mike Monaco and the SEC Network about the moment:
"This season's been a grind for every one of us in this locker room. And this team is just so great; we just haven't been playing to the best of our ability. So to be able to put the team ahead right there and give us a shot to win it just meant the world to me. I've been trying. I've been giving it my all to help this team win, and I haven't been doing my part that great. So to come through for the team, it was amazing."
Curiel is being hard on himself by saying he hasn't been doing his part that great, but he's still put up some big numbers to start the year. He is slashing .350/.438/.533 with 13 extra-base hits and 20 walks to 19 strikeouts. The Tigers have been spoiled in recent years with players like Dylan Crews and Tommy White, but that is a fantastic line.
The only real disappointment had been the lack of power. That has never really been his game, but there was supposed to be a jump coming this year. Going into last Sunday's game against the Kentucky Wildcats, he had just one home run. Now he has four, one in each of their last three times hitting the field.
"I felt like I was maybe trying to do a little too much," said Curiel when asked about the recent surge. "So I've been going back to hitting a line drive over the shortstop's head. Just sticking to my approach backside and do damage on pitches up and do damage on off-speed. Just making sure I stay with my approach."
Whatever he's doing right now, he needs to keep doing. LSU desperately needs his bat if they hope to really turn this season around.