LSU coach Jay Johnson ejected for arguing horrendous strike 3 call vs. Tennessee
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
LSU found itself on the wrong end of one of the worst strike 3 calls you’ll see this season.
It happened in the top of the ninth against Tennessee on Sunday, with both teams splitting the first two games of the weekend set. The host Volunteers held a 5-4 lead with one out and Cade Arrambide at the plate. That’s when Vols lefty Brandon Arvidson, on a 0-2 count, threw what appeared to be a clear ball. But after a lengthy delay — about three seconds, in fact — the umpire called Arrambide out looking.
Arrambide was stunned. LSU head coach Jay Johnson wasn’t just stunned. He was flat out furious. And, inevitably, he was ejected, although even Tennessee fans would agree that they caught a massive break on this one.
Here’s the video:
The Tigers ultimately tied it with two outs, sending it to extra innings. But it’s been a disappointing season for them by their standards. After winning the College World Series in 2025, LSU received a No. 1 preseason ranking in the USA TODAY, Perfect Game, and NCBWA polls.
Following an 11-1 start, though, the Tigers had a rough March, losing six of eight at one point while dropping two of three against Vanderbilt and Oklahoma to open their SEC slate. While things have improved in recent weeks, LSU needs to up the ante if it’s to return to Omaha this spring.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
