LSU baseball secured a win over Tulane on Tuesday night, but the Tigers did it without one of their most dangerous bats. Star freshman catcher Omar Serna was notably absent from the lineup, raising questions after he seemed perfectly healthy during the weekend sweep of South Carolina. Following the game, head coach Jay Johnson addressed the situation, revealing that Serna has been battling a lingering back issue.

"He's good. He just wasn't good to play. He's kind of been battling some back stuff here for about a week," Johnson explained. "He's battled it pretty darn good. If my back was hurting, I don't think I'd have five extra-base hits, three homers, and hitting balls 110 miles an hour. That shows you how good he actually is. It just wasn't good enough to play today."

Johnson's comments suggest Serna's status for this weekend's crucial SEC series against Georgia is uncertain. "Hopefully, he's fine for the weekend. I don't know that yet," he added.

Serna has been a revelation at the plate, boasting a .319 batting average that ranks among the best in the SEC. Since April 10, he has been one of the hottest hitters in the country, blending elite contact skills with impressive power. As a top-of-the-order presence, his combination of consistency and pop is rare for a freshman, making him an irreplaceable piece of LSU's lineup.

The timing couldn't be more critical. LSU sits at 29-21, fighting for its postseason life. With only two SEC series remaining, every game matters. A strong showing against Georgia—taking two of three—followed by a couple of home wins over Florida could solidify the Tigers' NCAA Tournament resume. But that path becomes much steeper if Serna is sidelined. For a team needing all hands on deck, his health is the biggest question mark heading into a pivotal weekend.