LSU baseball found itself Saturday night in almost an identical situation to the night before at Dudy Noble Field.

The Tigers held a multi-run lead over No. 11 Mississippi State. In the series opener Friday night, LSU led the Bulldogs 7-3 before giving it up and ultimately losing in extra innings.

During game two Saturday, the Tigers jumped out to a 7-2 lead over MSU by the fourth inning. LSU’s top bullpen arms couldn’t hold the lead against Mississippi State in game one. One night later, the Tigers’ bullpen gave up another big lead to the home team.

LSU DROPS SERIES OPENER AT MSU LSU baseball drops heartbreaker at Mississippi State in extras: Final score

It was déjà vu for LSU as it lost to the Bulldogs, 9-8, to lose its third straight league series.

The Tigers (24-20, 6-14 SEC) have now lost eight straight SEC games, the longest conference losing streak in program history.

Sophomore reliever Cooper Williams gave up a grand slam to Mississippi State’s Jacob Parker in the seven inning that tied the game 7-7. Parker was the only batter he faced.

In the eighth, senior Tiger pitcher Grant Fontenot gave up multiple hits and the Bulldogs scored two runs to take the lead.

LSU chased Mississippi State starter Duke Stone early but reliever Jack Bauers proved to be unbreakable as he gave up just one run on three hits while striking out eight across 3⅔ innings into the ninth.

Sophomore designated hitter Cade Arrambide jumpstarted the Tigers with a two-run home run in the first. He also had an RBI double in the fifth and finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs. Freshmen Omar Serna Jr. had three hits, including the solo homer in the ninth to pull the Tigers within a run. Freshman Mason Braun reached base each of his first three plate appearances.

Grant Fontenot gives up the lead for LSU. Tigers are now three outs away from losing the series.

MSU’s Bauers is mowing LSU hitters down now, up to seven strikeouts.

Mississippi State’s Jacob Parker just hit a grand slam to tie this game up. It’s deja vu for Tiger fans.

Two reach but LSU can’t bring them home. Some insurance runs would be nice for the Tigers.

That’s the most emotion I’ve ever seen from Lachenmayer. MSU gets a runner to second but he got the big strikeout to end the threat.

Braun got a two-out but nothing else for the Tigers.

Danny Lachenmayer masterfully worked around a jam to get out of the fifth inning, preserving LSU’s 5-run lead.

Tigers have blown this game wide open. Arrambide with an RBI double before Eddie Yamin cranked a three-run home run. The question is still being begged though: Can LSU hold onto the lead?

Schmidt is doing a decent job of getting himself out of sticky situations. He gives a up run in the fourth but he limited the damage.

Jack Ruckert ripped a one-out double down the line left field line but William Patrick and Tanner Reaves flied out to end the threat.

Schmidt strikes out a pair and he’s up to 4 Ks so far tonight.

Nothing doing for the Tigers on offense.

Schmidt has looked good through the first couple of innings tonight. One mistake that led to the homer and the walk wasn’t really on him.

More baserunning blunders for the Tigers. I would say that can’t happen but it’s who this LSU team is this year.

William Schmidt gives up a solo home run to Ace Reese. But that was his only mistake in an otherwise good opening frame.

Another hot start for the Tigers in Starkville. They plate three runs in the first, highlighted by a two-run blast from Cade Arrambide. Now the question is can LSU hold a lead?

LSU baseball vs Mississippi State probable pitchers

• LSU – William Schmidt, RHP (4-4, 4.14 ERA)
• Mississippi State – Duke Stone, LHP (6-1, 3.78 ERA)

What time does LSU baseball vs Mississippi State start?  

• Date: Saturday, April 24
• Time: 6:30 p.m. CT  
• Where: Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi