Fresh off a historic series win in Baton Rouge, the Sooners return to Hoover aiming to dismantle the LSU Tigers again and spark another deep postseason run
HOOVER, Ala. – The Oklahoma Sooners (32-20, 14-16 SEC) open the 2026 Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT, facing LSU (29-27, 9-21 SEC) in an 11-seed versus 14-seed matchup at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
The contest will air on SEC Network, with Dave Neal and Lance Cormier calling the action. Fans can also catch the game on radio via The REF 99.3 FM/1400 AM in the Oklahoma City area or through The Varsity Network app, featuring the broadcast team of Toby Rowland, Greg Norton, and Carly Murray.
This marks Oklahoma’s second trip to the SEC Tournament in Hoover following a promising debut last season, when the Sooners went 2-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals.
In 2025, OU defeated Kentucky 5-1 before upsetting fifth-seeded Georgia 3-2 behind a dominant eight-strikeout outing from Kyson Witherspoon, eventually falling to eventual champion Vanderbilt in the quarters.
The Sooners now return with momentum and experience, looking to make another deep run in the always-competitive conference tournament.
Series History and Recent Matchups
Tuesday’s game represents the fourth meeting between Oklahoma and LSU this season. The Sooners claimed the series victory in Baton Rouge back in March, dropping the opener 7-1 before rallying to win the final two games by scores of 4-2 and 4-3.
That series triumph marked OU’s first-ever series win over the Tigers in program history. Overall, LSU still leads the all-time series 13-6, including a 4-2 edge in SEC play after sweeping Oklahoma in Norman during the Sooners’ first season in the league.
Notably, the Tigers also eliminated OU in the 2013 Baton Rouge Super Regional.The 2026 Tigers enter the tournament after a challenging year. Once preseason No. 2, LSU has struggled to a 9-21 SEC record and sits outside the national rankings.
Offensively, sophomore outfielder Derek Curiel leads with a .345 batting average, while catcher Cade Arrambide has provided power with 18 home runs. On the mound, sophomore right-hander William Schmidt gets the start for LSU. He leads the team with 85 strikeouts across 13 starts and sports a 4.22 ERA.
Oklahoma’s Season in Review
Oklahoma heads into Hoover with a solid 32-20 overall record despite a tough final weekend series loss to No. 23 Tennessee. The Sooners split the first two games before exploding for a 12-9 victory in the finale, powered by a historic performance from junior catcher Deiten Lachance, who became the first Sooner since 2000 to hit three home runs in a single game.
The team ranks No. 20 in the NCAA RPI and boasts an impressive postseason resume, including 14 wins in the nation’s toughest conference and the No. 6 strength of schedule.
Oklahoma is a perfect 15-0 in Quad 3 and 4 games, went 18-4 in non-conference play, and has secured 17 victories against Quad 1 and 2 opponents. The Sooners were ranked as high as No. 8 in the D1Baseball Top 25 and spent 12 weeks in the rankings.
Offensively, OU has been explosive, outscoring opponents 349-291 while batting .282 with 173 extra-base hits.
The team leads the SEC with 17 triples and has homered in 33 of 52 games. A late-season surge has been led by juniors Dasan Harris (.403 since April 9), Camden Johnson (.406 since April 17), and Lachance, who has launched all 12 of his home runs in the last 20 games.
Defensive Recognition and Team Strengths
Outfielder Jason Walk earned SEC All-Defensive Team honors, becoming the first Sooner in program history to receive the accolade.
The junior centerfielder has started 47 games, posting a .965 fielding percentage with 76 putouts, seven assists, and just three errors. His versatility and highlight-reel plays have been a cornerstone of OU’s defense.
On the mound, Oklahoma’s pitching staff features a balanced attack. The team ranks 12th nationally with 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings and has recorded six shutouts this season.
Key contributors include LHP Cameron Johnson (6-1, 4.02 ERA), RHP LJ Mercurius (team-high 79 strikeouts), freshman Cord Rager, and closer Jackson Cleveland, who has eight saves. The bullpen, led by veterans like Jason Bodin, has provided crucial depth.
Looking Ahead
Following the SEC Tournament, Oklahoma will await its NCAA Tournament fate. The selection show airs Sunday, May 25 at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2.
A strong showing in Hoover could boost seeding for what would be the Sooners’ fifth consecutive and 43rd overall NCAA appearance.
Last season, OU reached the Chapel Hill Regional Final before falling to North Carolina.
With hot bats, defensive reliability, and a proven ability to compete against top competition, the Sooners are poised for a memorable run in Hoover.
The program’s rich history, 42 NCAA appearances, 11 College World Series trips, and national titles in 1951 and 1994, adds extra motivation as they chase another deep postseason journey.
