NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Logan Johnstone hit a two-out, two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to lead Vanderbilt past No. 13 LSU in a 13-12 win Friday night at Hawkins Field.
In a game that saw six lead changes, the Commodores led by as many as six runs, then trailed by two before scoring three in the last frame to take the first game of the series on SEC Opening Weekend.
Vanderbilt took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first as Mike Mancini singled home a pair of runs. LSU’s Jake Brown hit a three-run homer in the top of the second to put the Tigers up 4-2.
The Dores scored the next eight runs to go in front 10-4. Braden Holcomb hit his 11th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth to start a five-run inning. Brodie Johnston knocked a two-run single in the fifth as part of his four-RBI night.
LSU then scored eight unanswered, putting up a three-spot in the fifth before taking the lead in the eighth. The Tigers scored five runs on two hits in the eighth, taking advantage of three walks and two hit-by-pitches to go in front 12-10.
Nate Schlote took over on the mound in the top of the ninth kept the Commodores in striking distance, stranding a pair of runners in scoring position with a strikeout to end the frame.
Tommy Goodin laced a pinch-hit single to lead off the bottom of the ninth with Cade Sears coming on as a pinch runner. Rustan Rigdon then singled and both runners moved up on a passed ball.
Johnston brought home Sears with a sac fly to make it a one-run game. With two outs, Johnstone sent the 0-1 pitch over the wall in right-center to win it for the Commodores.
Vanderbilt (12-7, 1-0 SEC) and No. 13 LSU (13-6, 0-1 SEC) will meet at 7 p.m. for Game 2 of the series. The game will air on SEC Network and 102.5 The Game.
LOGAN JOHNSTONE WALKS IT OFF pic.twitter.com/7vJBqWEXYS
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) March 14, 2026
