LSU begins a three-game series tonight against Alabama. The Fighting Tigers blew a couple of late leads in dropping their series with Kentucky last weekend. But Coach Paul Mainieri says he still has faith in his bullpen and he’s seen arms emerge as the season has gone on…
cut 18 (13) “….count on”
LSU will send left-hander Jared Poche to the mound tonight. Alabama counters with senior southpaw Taylor Guilbeau, who is 2-and-2 with a 3.07 ERA.

Also the second game of the series has been moved up to 3 PM tomorrow to avoid the potential for bad weather Friday night.

ULM has adjusted its baseball series with UT Arlington. Game one is tomorrow at one o’ clock and then the two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday.

A big baseball series starts tonight in Hammond as Northwestern State faces Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions have a half-game lead over the Demons for first place in the league standings. The Lions have won seven of their last eight, while Northwestern will send right-hander Adam Oller to the mound. He’s 4-and-1 with a 2.09 ERA.

In other Southland action…UNO is at McNeese State and Nicholls State hosts Incarnate Word.

Northwestern State’s spring game is tonight as the Joe Delaney Bowl is set to begin at 5:30 at Turpin Stadium. Coach Jay Thomas expects a lot of passing during the 60 to 75 minute scrimmage.

The Saints head equipment manager, Dan Simmons, has announced he’s retiring. Simmons has held that job since April 1, 1973.

Civil district court officials in New Orleans say the doctors that were appointed to provide a medical evalution of Saints-Pelicans owner Tom Benson have turned those evaluations into a judge and a hearing will take place June 1st.