LSU head coach Jay Johnson was tossed in the eighth inning of a critical home matchup against Arkansas on Sunday, May 11, 2025. The dismissal came after a disputed walk call by the home plate umpire. Johnson emerged from the dugout, visibly displeased, and demonstrated his disapproval by shrugging and gesturing toward the official.
The confrontation escalated quickly, resulting in his ejection. The timing was pivotal, as the game carried significant weight for LSU. Johnson’s reaction underlined his frustration with the strike zone, and the incident highlighted tensions in an already tightly contested SEC battle.
Jay Johnson Ejected After Disputed Walk Call in LSU-Arkansas Clash
Johnson was ejected during the eighth inning of Sunday’s home game against Arkansas following a controversial walk call. After the umpire awarded a walk, Johnson exited the dugout, visibly frustrated, and confronted the home plate umpire.
He pointed toward the official and shrugged in protest, prompting a swift ejection. Johnson then stepped onto the field to further discuss the ruling with the crew.
“I told him he flinched, you know it and he ejected me,” Johnson said postgame. “Told me he had given the bench a warning. That’s it.”
The exchange, which included Johnson telling the umpire, “You flinched, you know you missed,” led to his early dismissal with LSU trailing 5-3.
Jay Johnson: “You flinched, you know you missed”
That was enough to end the LSU skipper’s day early. The ump show in Baton Rouge continues. pic.twitter.com/oOlswoMDGm
— SEC Unfiltered (@SECUnfiltered) May 11, 2025
The Tigers had taken the first two games of the weekend series and were attempting to sweep Arkansas—something no team has done in 2025 and only two SEC squads have accomplished since 2017.
LSU briefly closed the gap to one run after Johnson’s exit but surrendered two more in the ninth inning, falling 7-4. The loss denied the Tigers a sweep and handed Arkansas a measure of redemption.
Casan Evans started for LSU and took the loss, surrendering four runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings. He walked three and struck out four. Chase Shores provided stability out of the bullpen, entering in the fourth and limiting Arkansas to one run over 3.1 innings. Shores allowed just two hits, walked one, and struck out four on 60 pitches.
“Arkansas is really good with the arms they can run out there on a Sunday, but our guys did a pretty good job, too,” Johnson said. “There was tremendous value in today’s game in helping us determine a roadmap for winning in postseason play.”
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LSU dropped to 40-12 overall and 17-10 in SEC play. The Tigers travel to South Carolina for a three-game set beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. CT to close the regular season ahead of the SEC Tournament on May 20.
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