Two LSU baseball stars should hear their names called on the first day of the MLB Draft Saturday. Center fielder Derek Curiel is expected to be a top 15 pick in the first round, while right fielder Jake Brown is a potential second round pick. Brown could have returned for his senior season, but he says he’s ready for professional baseball.

Cut 18 (11) “…draft this year.”

He will likely receive a seven-figure signing bonus. The Tigers have welcomed transfer outfielders Bino Watters, Jason Wachs and Angel Laya to help replace Brown and Curiel.

An invitation has been sent out to LSU’s 40 biggest athletic donors to meet at the governor’s mansion during the first week of August to discuss funding the university’s athletics programs. According to the event invitation, an alternative revenue-generating opportunity that is the first of its kind will be presented to those in attendance.

Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream took an 89-78 win over former LSU teammate Flau’Jae Johnson’s Seattle Storm last night. Reese scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and two steals. Johnson put up 14 points and five assists but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 55-38 halftime deficit.

One of McNeese’s top relievers, Elliott Burrows, is headed to Louisiana Tech. Burrows signed with the Bulldogs after making 21 relief appearances as a redshirt freshman this season and posting 13 scoreless outings. He put up a 3.67 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 27 innings.

McNeese landed a commitment from former UL Lafayette outfielder Owen Galt. The Lake Charles native started 11 of his 33 games for the Cajuns last season and hit.231 with six RBIs and one homer.

The Cowboys extended the contract of head coach Justin Hill for another four years. Hill has 396 wins in 13 seasons at McNeese and has led the Cowboys to two NCAA Tournaments.