After several delays, the LSU Tigers will finally get to play their opening game at the SEC tournament when they face 12th-seeded Kentucky at 7 pm tonight. Having a couple of extra days of rest could be good for the LSU pitching staff. Ma’Khail Hilliard has been the team’s top starting pitcher, but a true number two hasn’t emerged, meaning the Tigers will rely heavily on their bullpen. SEC Network host Peter Burns says a lack of quality arms is a problem across the SEC.
Cut 18 (20) “…is injured.”
–
Tulane beat South Florida, 9-6 to stave off elimination in the AAC tournament. The Wave will play either Cincinnati or East Carolina on Friday at 1 pm.
–
In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech scored a 4-0 shutout of Charlotte. The Bulldogs scored all four runs in the bottom of the first, capped off by a two-run home run by Adarius Myers. Cade Gibson went five innings, striking out seven without a walk to pick up the win. Tech advances to face third-seeded Old Dominion this afternoon at 4 pm.
Grambling fell to Bethune-Cookman 4-3 at the SWAC tourney. The Tigers will face either Alabama State or Texas Southern this afternoon in an elimination game. Southern opens the tournament against Jackson State at 1 pm.
Due to weather, the Sunbelt conference tourney is now single-elimination. No games today, but UL-Lafayette will play South Alabama at 4 pm Friday, followed by UL-Monroe and top-seeded Texas State.
The best-of-three Southland Conference championship series starts tonight in Lake Charles with the top two seeds, McNeese and Southeastern squaring off. The Cowboys swept the Lions during the regular season, outscoring Southeastern 21-11 over three games. Game one starts at 6 pm.
–
The Saints’ preseason schedule is final. New Orleans will play three games starting on the road vs the Texans on Aug. 13 and the Packers on the 19th; finishing at home on Aug. 26 versus the Chargers.