4:45 LRN Sportscast June 29

LSU has added another arm to its arsenal with the announcement that former UCLA pitcher Thatcher Hurd has given his verbal commitment to join Jay Johnson’s Tigers. Hurd, a freshman right-hander, was the ninth-ranked righty in the 2022 recruiting class. His season was cut short due to a stress fracture in his lower back, but when he was on the field he was impressive, posting a 1.06 ERA over 34 innings pitched, including six starts for the Bruins. Hurd becomes the third potential starter to join the roster through the transfer portal, joining fellow right-handers Dylan Tebrake and Christian Little.

Texas A-and-M pitcher Rawley Hector has announced he’s heading to Ruston to play for Louisiana Tech next season. Coach Lane Burroughs has also named Cooper Fouts to his staff as the team’s recruiting coordinator as well as pitching and catching coordinator.

Tulane loses sophomore closer, Zach DeVito, to Georgia. DeVito was 4-1 with nine saves for the Green Wave last season. However freshman outfielder Jackson Linn confirmed he has withdrawn his name from the portal and will stay with the team.

The New Orleans Pelicans have announced their roster for the upcoming NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Aside from new draftees Dyson Daniels, EJ Liddell, and Karlo Matkovic, veterans Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy III, Naji Marshall, and Jared Harper will be among those competing in the desert from July 7-17. Last summer, the Pels went a perfect 5-0, outscoring opponents by an average of nearly 15 points per game. Their performance was seen as a springboard for a rookie class that went on to be major contributors during the season.

LSU basketball coach Matt McMahon has received his first SEC basketball schedule, with the 18-game slate released Wednesday. Six of those games come against permanent home-and-home foes Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas A-and-M. The Tigers also play series against Florida and Missouri this season. Their home schedule rounds out with Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. LSU goes on the road to face Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State. Dates and times will be announced later this summer.

And Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has been nominated for the ESPY for Best Comeback Athlete.