The LSU baseball team begins a two-game series against Notre Dame tonight in South Bend, Indiana. Tigers senior left-hander John Valek gets the start. Valek was the Tigers Sunday starter for most of the season, but lost that role, because of poor production. The southpaw says he’s looking forward to another opportunity on the mound….
cut 19 (16) “….pitch again”
The trip to Notre Dame also marks a return to Paul Mainieris’ old stomping grounds. The current coach at LSU spent 12 seasons at Notre Dame and led the Fighting Irish to the College World Series in 2002.

In other baseball action tonight, McNeese State is at Baylor and Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State. The Demons had their eight-game winning streak snapped on Sunday.

Four former Louisiana Tech players have signed with NFL teams. Defensive back Adairius Barnes is on the Lions roster, Kentrell Brice inks a deal with Green Bay, defensive lineman Vontarrius Dora has a chance to make the Broncos and wide receiver Paul Turner will spend the offseason with the Eagles.

Austin Thomas is back as LSU’s director of player personnel. Thomas had that role at LSU for three years, but left in February for a similar job at USC. He’s returned to Baton Rouge and added the title of assistant athletic director.

Northwestern State basketball star Jalen West has received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. West tore his ACL in the Demons’ season opener in November and he didn’t play his freshman season because of an NCAA Clearinghouse issue. West is an outstanding scorer and he led the nation in the 2014-15 season with nearly eight assists a game.

Northwestern State introduced Jordan Dupuy as its new women’s basketball coach today. Dupuy arrives in Natchitoches after serving as the associate head coach at Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles recently won at least 25 games in back-to-back seasons.