I’m Jeanne Burns. This sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health. When gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

SEC Media Days begin Monday in Atlanta and the league has announced that LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, receiver Chris Hilton and linebacker Whit Weeks will join coach Brian Kelly for the unofficial kick-off to the 2025 season.

Haynesville three-sport star Isaiah Washington is one of LSU’s latest commitments for the Class of 2026. Washington won state championships in the 110-meter hurdles and triple jump at the Class 1A outdoor track meet last May. He’s expected to play safety at the next level. Golden Tornado head coach David Franklin says Washington is an outstanding athlete…

Cut 18 (16) “…all the tools”

Washington plays quarterback and defensive back at Haynesville.

Saints owner Gayle Benson and All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis will fly to Paris this week to promote the club’s visibility in France. The state of Louisiana has only had a strong connection with France and a couple of summers ago, the NFL granted the Saints international marketing rights in France. Senior Vice President of Communications for the Saints, Greg Bensel, says team executives have taken several relationship building trips to France over the years…

Cut 14 (14) “…business in Louisiana”

Bensel says the delegation will attend a European League of Football game featuring the Paris Musketeers and the Vienna Vikings. Earlier this year, the Saints announced a strategic partnership with the Muskeeteers.

And watch for it on social media today, the Saints will unveil a new alternate helmet. There’s also reports the Saints will have a new alternate jersey and matching pants this year.

LSU left-hander Kade Anderson was named the top male athlete in Louisiana this year. The Madisonville native earned the Allstate Sugar Bowl James J. Corbett award after leading Division One in strikeouts this season and helping the Tigers to an eighth national championship. Anderson was also ranked as the number one prospect in the MLB Draft by ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel. McDaniel says he still expects Anderson to go number one in Sunday’s draft after the Nationals fired their president of baseball operations, Mike Rizzo, and manager Dave Martinez Sunday.

Cut  19 (09) “…to Anderson.”

LSU announced senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, senior wide receiver Chris Hilton, and junior linebacker Whit Weeks will represent the Tigers along with head coach Brian Kelly at SEC Football Media Days July 14.

Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says Louisiana Tech still doesn’t have the votes to join the league, but Commissioner Keith Gill has invested significant political capital to convince Sun Belt schools to approve to Bulldogs.

Cut 20 (19) “…the conference.”

The report comes weeks after ULM discontinued its women’s tennis program to cut costs. The Warhawks currently sponsor the minimum required 16 programs to be a D1 FBS school.

Sun Belt Football Media Days will kick off in New Orleans with the West Division July 22. The Ragin’ Cajuns will be represented by offensive lineman Jax Herrington, safety Tyree Skipper and head coach Michael Desormeaux. Joining second-year ULM head coach Bryant Vincent will be tight end Nate Sullivan Jr. and linebacker Billy Pullen.

LSU head coach Jay Johnson was named D! Baseball Coach of the Year after winning his second national championship in Baton Rouge. It is his second time receiving the honor after earning the same award from the American Baseball Coaches Association in June. Johnson is the fastest coach to win two national titles with a program after taking home two trophies in four years at LSU.

UL-Lafayette is hiring Marshall pitching coach Taylor Sandefur to replace Gunner Leger, who has now taken a job at Southern Miss. Sandefur led the Thundering Herd pitching staff to a 5.09 ERA with a 33-and-26 record.

Saints owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis will be traveling to France this week to promote the team’s international brand. The NFL granted the Saints marketing rights in the country as part of the league’s 2023 Global Markets Program. The trip will look to strengthen the team’s connection with European fans with events Thursday through Monday and the launch of a team-branded boys and girls flag football program.

The Saints announced the team will be releasing a new alternate helmet tomorrow. A new uniform will also be released sometime before training camp, likely replacing either New Orleans’ Color Rush or 60’s throwback uniforms.

Sun Belt Media Days will kick off July 22 in New Orleans. UL-Lafayette offensive lineman Jax Harrington and safety Tyree Skipper will represent the Cajuns along with head coach Michael Desormeaux. ULM announced they’d be sending redshirt senior tight end Nate Sullivan Jr. and senior outside linebacker Billy Pullen to join head coach Bryant Vincent.

ESPN MLB Draft expert Kiley McDaniel ranked LSU pitcher Kade Anderson as his number one prospect ahead of Sunday’s MLB Draft. McDaniel has previously mocked Anderson to go number one overall. He ranked LSU righties Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores 45th and 68th. Second Baseman Daniel Dickinson came in at 89th, D-H Ethan Frey ranked 132nd and first baseman Jared Jones rounded out the top 250 at 249. 13 LSU commits also ranked in the top 250.

LSU’s Jay Johnson has been named D1 Baseball National Coach of the Year. Johnson just led the Tigers to their second national championship in three years. He is the fastest coach to win multiple CWS championships during his tenure at a single school. The 2025 Tigers were 53-15 and finished the season on an eight-game winning streak.

The Ragin Cajuns reportedly have a new pitching coach. U-L Lafayette has hired Taylor Sandefur to replace Gunner Leger, who is now at Southern Miss. Sandefur helped Marshall enjoy its best season in the Sun Belt Conference with a 33-26 and two wins over the Cajuns in the Sun Belt Tournament.

The LSU football program has reportedly hired Ole Miss Coordinator of Recruiting Strategy Kevin Bolden. Bolden will serve as assistant general manager under Austin Thomas. Bolden spent three seasons at Ole Miss and he worked with Thomas for one season.

LSU strength and conditioning coach, Katie Guillory, has lost her left leg from the knee down because of a jet ski accident on the Fourth of July. That’s according to Guillory’s family.  Guillory played on the LSU softball team from 2009 to 2013 and the past three seasons, she’s been an assistant strength and conditioning coach for LSU gymnastics and beach volleyball. Guillory is a Lafayette native and went to Carencro high school.

UL Lafayette softball has announced that Arizona State pitcher Julianne Tipton has signed with the Cajuns and she’ll have three years of eligibility left. After striking over 600 hitters during her high school career, she was 5-2 with a 7.00 ERA for the Sun Devils during her freshman campaign.

ULM infielder Morgan Brown is ranked 49 in D-1 Baseball’s top 100 mid-major player rankings. Brown hit .382 with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs. Louisiana Tech pitcher Allie Floyd is number 70 on that list after becoming the first Bulldog pitcher to record 150-plus strikeouts in a season since 2011.

Congratulations to Garrett Nussmeier!  LSU’s starting Q-B got engaged to longtime girlfriend and LSU alum Ella Springfield. The couple shared their news on Instagram with photos that show them celebrating their huge moment at a lake as the sun was setting. Nussmeier posted the caption “Forever Us.” No word on a wedding date as Nussmeier prepares for his final season at LSU and a run for a championship ring on his other ring finger.

LSU’s Jay Johnson has been named D-1 Baseball National Coach of the Year. He’s the first two-time winner in the award’s 11-year history.

The Ragin Cajuns have found a new pitching coach after Gunner Leger left for Southern Miss. Taylor Sandefur from Marshall is taking his place. Sandefur helped the Thundering Herd to their best season in the Sun Belt this past season as they won 33 games and beat the Cajuns twice in the Sun Belt Tournament.

UL Lafayette softball has announced that Arizona State pitcher Julianne Tipton has signed with the Cajuns and she’ll have three years of eligibility left. After striking over 600 hitters during her high school career, she was 5-2 with a 7.00 ERA for the Sun Devils during her freshman campaign.

ULM infielder Morgan Brown is ranked 49 in D-1 Baseball’s top 100 mid-major player rankings. Brown hit .382 with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs. Louisiana Tech pitcher Allie Floyd is number 70 on that list after becoming the first Bulldog pitcher to record 150-plus strikeouts in a season since 2011.

Former McNeese star Christian Shumate will be play on the Pelicans Summer League Team, which will have its first game in Las Vegas on Thursday against Minnesota.

Former L-S-U All-Americans Paul Skenes and Alex Bregman have been named to the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Angel Reese is a WNBA All-Star reserve.

Former LSU baseball All-Americans, Paul Skenes and Alex Bregman are headed back to the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Skenes is an All-Star for the second consecutive year. The right-hander leads the National League with an ERA of 1.94 and has struck out 125 in 116 innings.

Bregman is in his first season with the Red Sox and is hitting .299 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs. But the 2018 All-Star MVP has not played since May 23rd because of a quadriceps injury, so it’s unlikely he’ll play in the All-Star game in Atlanta on July 15th.

And on the hardwood, former LSU star Angel Reese is a WNBA All-Star for a second straight season. Reese leads the league with 12.6 rebounds a game and she’s also averaging 12 points a contest.

Former McNeese star Christian Shumate will be play on the Pelicans Summer League Team, which will have its first game in Las Vegas on Thursday against Minnesota.

LSU football received two verbal commitments on July 4^th, projected safety Isaiah Washington from Haynesville and the second best offensive lineman in the state of Mississippi, Bryson Cooley, a four-star prospect from West Johnson High School in Laurel, Mississippi.

Getting back to Washington, his stock rose after winning the 110-meter hurdles and the triple jump at the outdoor state track championships in May.

During the fourth of July holiday, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier got engaged to his longtime girlfriend Ella Springfield, who is an LSU graduate. Nussmeier is 23-years-old and is the leading returning passer in college football, after throwing for four-thousand yards last season.

LSU’s Jay Johnson has been named D-1 Baseball National Coach of the Year. He’s the first two-time winner in the award’s 11 year history.

Northwestern State baseball coach Chris Bertrand has received a contract extension that keeps him in Natchitoches through 2028. The Demons won 35 games last season, the most since 2018.

And former Ragin Cajuns pitching coach Gunner Leger has been named the new pitching coach at Southern Miss.

Former LSU Baseball All-Americans are headed back to the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Paul Skenes is going for the second consecutive year as Skenes has been dominant again this year. The right-hander has an ERA of 1.94 and has struck out 125 in 116 innings.

Skenes is just 4-and-7, because he has been hurt by a lack of support. Pittsburgh failed to score a run in his start on Sunday in Seattle as the Mariners beat the Pirates one to nothing.

Alex Bregman is heading to the All-Star game for the third time in his career. Bregman is in his first season with the Red Sox and is hitting .299 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs. But Bregman has not played since May 23^rd because of a quadriceps injury, so it’s unlikely he’ll play in the All-Star game in Atlanta on July 15^th.

Former LSU star Angel Reese is a WNBA All-Star for a second straight season. Reese leads the league with 12.6 rebounds a game and she’s also averaging 12 points a contest. Reese ranks fifth in the WNBA in steals per game.

Former McNeese Cowboy Christian Shumate is on the Pelicans Summer-League Team. Shumate helped lead McNeese to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Former LSU center Will Baker is also on the Pels summer-team which will begin play on Thursday against Minnesota.

Fourth of July was a good holiday for the LSU football program. The Tigers received two verbal commitments for the Class of 2026, including one from one of the top safeties in the state.

Haynesville’s Isaiah Washington is a three-star safety, who has helped the Golden Tornado reach the state championship game in back-to-back seasons as a quarterback and a defensive back. Washington’s stock rose after winning the 110-meter hurdles and the triple jump at the outdoor state track championships in May.

LSU also received a commitment from Mississippi offensive tackle Bryson Cooley. He’s a four-star prospect out of West Johnson High School in Laurel, Mississippi, which is near Hattiesburg. He’s a big dude at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds.

I’m Jeanne Burns. This sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health. When gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

Fourth of July was a good holiday for the LSU football program. The Tigers received two verbal commitments for the Class of 2026, including one from one of the top safeties in the state.

Haynesville’s Isaiah Washington is a four-star safety, who has helped the Golden Tornado reach the state championship game in back-to-back seasons as a quarterback and a defensive back. Washington’s stock rose after winning the 110-meter hurdles and the trip jump at the state track championship in May.

LSU also received a commitment from Mississippi offensive tackle Bryson Cooley. He’s a four-star prospect out of West Johnson High School in Laurel, Mississippi. Cooley also had an offer from Ole Miss and he’s the second offensive lineman from Mississippi in the Class of 2026. Emanuel Tucker is the other one.

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The Houston Astros handed the Dodgers their worst loss ever in Los Angeles as the Astros defeated the defending World Series champs 18 to 1. Jose Altuve hit two home runs and Victor Caratini hit a grand slam for Houston, who has a seven-game lead over Seattle for first place in the A-L West.

There were also fireworks at Wrigley Field yesterday as the Chicago Cubs hit a franchise-record eight home runs in a single game to defeat the struggling St. Louis Cardinals 11 to 3. Michael Busch blasted three home runs and Pete Crow Armstrong hit two home runs for the Cubs, who lead the N-L Central by four games over Milwaukee.

The pitchers and reserves for the All-Star team will be announced tomorrow. Former LSU star Paul Skenes should make the team for a second straight year despite a losing record. Skenes is 4-and-7 with a 2.03 ERA and has 115 strikeouts in 111 innings.

It’s been reported by NOLA.com LSU will have advertisements on the 25-yard lines at Tiger Stadium this fall. LSU officials are not identifying the company that will appear in Tiger Stadium, but the advertisements will generate millions of dollars a year as schools are now playing players directly. And LSU is also looking at sponsored patches on jerseys, once that type of advertisement is approved by the NCAA. On the internet, there’s been pushback to that idea.

In Major league baseball last night, the Astros had a tough loss in Colorado as they fell to the Rockies seven to six. Houston still has a comfortable 6.5 game lead over Seattle for first place in the A-L West. The Astros begin a big three-game series against the Dodgers in L-A tonight.

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey is expected to have another Top Ten team this season. The Lady Tigers return four contributors, and they all play in the backcourt. Mulkey tells the Advocate the great unknown is their post-game. Aneesah Morrow is a huge piece to replace. Notre Dame transfer Kate Koval and East Carolina transfer Amiya Joyner, along with freshman Grace Knox are three players that will play significant roles next season.

The Pelicans have released second-year guard Antonio Reeves. The former Kentucky star was selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. Reeves appeared in 44 games with the Pels and averaged seven points a game and shot nearly 40-percent from three point territory. In last week’s draft, the Pelicans selected two guards, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears in the first round and Georgetown’s Micah Peavy in the second. Those players along with former Maryland big man Derik Queen will begin play next week in the Las Vegas Summer League. The Pelicans first game is July 10^th against Minnesota.

LSU has received a commitment from a Top 100 commitment. Four-star edge rusher Trenton Henderson from Pensacola, Florida picked the Tigers over Florida and Texas. Henderson is the 12^th commitment in the Tigers Class of 2026 and half of them are Top 100 recruits.

A linebacker from Alabama who had LSU in his final three has given a verbal pledge to Arkansas. Three-star prospect JJ Bush chose the Razorbacks over LSU and Missouri.

Athlon Sports released its preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team. Two players from the Cajuns made the first team, defensive lineman Jordan Lawson and safety Tyree Skipper. ULM’s Kevontay Wells is also a first team selection. Wells had 50 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and three sacks last season.  Lawson for the Cajuns had 5.5 sacks and Skipper picked off four passes.

LSU’s take over the SEC Network begins tonight at 11 PM with the Tigers exciting win over South Carolina last September. The SEC Network will also re-air LSU’s come from behind win over Ole Miss in football and its dramatic rally against Arkansas in the College World Series. The SEC Network take over ends with LSU beating Coastal Carolina for its eight national title in baseball.

The hope is that Right-handed pitcher William Schmidt  will make a big jump in his sophomore season after struggling to get SEC hitters out this season. Pitching coach Nate Yeskie says Schmidt roomed with Kade Anderson on the road to learn how to prepare…

Cut 19 (18) “…good blueprint”