LSU Eunice Baseball kicked off the 2026 season with a doubleheader against Murray State at Bengal Stadium on Friday, splitting the action with the Aggies. LSUE added Murray State to the schedule late on Wednesday after both teams managed cancellations due to the ongoing freezing weather throughout the Southeast United States.
LSUE used pitching and defense to take a wild 2-1 decision over Murray State in 11 innings to open the day. The Bengals couldn’t snuff out a hot Murray State attack in the nightcap, falling 12-7.
The Bengals and Aggies will play a rubber match on Sunday, starting at 1:00 PM.
Game 1 vs. Murray State – W, 2-1 (11 Innings)
LSUE relied on pitching and defense in its season opener, getting just enough offense in a 2-1 win over Murray State in 11 innings. It was the first time in LSUE history that the Bengals won in walk-off fashion during a season-opening game.
The Bengals struck first, using a Mason Bordelon sacrifice fly out to score Rowen Bergeron in the second inning. Bergeron ignited the offense in that second frame with a one-out triple to left field.
Even with a 9-5 hit advantage, Murray State forced extra innings after they connected on a two-out hit in the fifth. LSUE would leave 14 runners on base in the game.
The pitching trio of Hudson Spangler, Beau Revord, and McCray Jacobs held off Murray State until LSUE could score the game-winner late. Spangler got the opening day start, going 4.1 innings while giving up one earned run, one hit, and three walks. Revord and Jacobs shut out the Aggies for the final 6.2 innings with the trio combining for eight strikeouts.
Bordelon and Jake Smith each recorded multi-hit games, part of LSUE’s nine-hit output.
Game 2 vs. Murray State – L, 7-12
LSUE jumped out to an early lead but could not hold off a middle innings surge by Murray State to fall 12-7 to close out the day’s doubleheader.
The Bengals went up 3-1 through the first third of the game. Andrew Clapinski and Caleb Hastings produced runs in the opening inning, and Tyler Mitchell scored on a wild pitch in the third.
Murray State would then take a commanding lead middle innings, score ten unanswered runs, and collect 11 hits in that span.
The Bengals tried to keep themselves alive late. Cooper Scott smashed a pinch-hit two-run home run, and Jacob Froehlich brought home a pair on a pinch-hit double to creep the Bengals to within striking distance before the Aggies were able to snuff out the late rally.