It’s been a long season for the Philadelphia Phillies, who have the worst record in the Major Leagues, but Baton Rouge product and former LSU All-American Aaron Nola gave the city of Brotherly Love something to cheer about last night. Nola threw six strong innings, allowing just one run and striking out six in his major league debut for the Phillies. But Philadelphia still lost one to nothing to Tampa Bay as the only run Nola gave up was to the opposing pitcher, who hit a home run. Nola will make his next start on Sunday in Chicago against the Cubs.

In the NBA….the Pelicans have reportedly reached a one-year deal with 12-year veteran center Kendrick Perkins. The 30-year-old helped the Boston Celtics win an NBA Championship in 2008.

And Seth Curry has signed a two-year deal with the Sacramento Kings. Curry averaged nearly 25 points a game for the New Orleans Pelicans summer league team.

Defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana has eight players on the league’s preseason All-conference football teams. The Lions placed two players on the first team, defensive backs Harlan Miller and Denzel Thompson. Northwestern State has six players on the preseason teams, including wide receiver Ed Eagan. McNeese State has four players, three on the first team, linebackers Wallace Scott and Bo Brown and defensive back Brent Spikes and Nicholls State has one player, running back Michael Henry.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth has announced the dismassal of two football players…defensive lineman Marquis White and receiver C-J Bates. Hudspeth says they felt it was in the best interest of the program to part ways. White had 16 tackles last season, while Bates caught 12 passes.

Louisiana College has been picked to finish third in the American Southwest Conference. Wildcats quarterback Eason Melancon has been named an A-S-C preseason player of the year.