After a rough start on opening night, Zack Hess returns to the mound tonight as the number one ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against Bryant. Hess allowed five runs last week, but Coach Paul Mainieri says his ace has made a mechanical change and they expect better results tonight.

Starting shortstop Josh Smith is expected on the field tonight after taking a pitch to the mouth on Tuesday. Smith says he’s ok…
cut 18 (14) “….too bad”
Smith is off to a hot start as he’s 10-for-16 at the plate. First pitch is at 7 PM.

The Cajuns start a series at Sam Houston State tonight. Gunner Leger will not pitch this weekend, so he can rest after making his first in over a year last week. Louisiana Tech’s series with Troy starts Saturday in Ruston because of expected inclement weather tonight.

Former Tulane star, LSU hitting coach and Mississippi State head coach Any Cannizaro is back in baseball. He’s been named as the new head coach at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans. Cannizaro abruptly resigned from State last year. ESPN reported Cannizaro was involved in an extramartial affair with a female staffer.

The Pelicans return from the All-Star break to face the Indiana Pacers tonight. Anthony Davis is expected to start, interim general manager Danny Ferry says A-D’s minutes will be restricted. Former Ragin Cajuns star Elfrid Payton is also expected to start. He hasn’t played in about a month because of an injured ankle.

After losing in overtime to Florida on Wednesday, 13th ranked LSU hosts 5th ranked Tennessee on Saturday at 11 AM.

Also on Saturday, La Tech hosts North Texas. The Mean Green beat the Bulldogs in Denton earlier this season. McNeese is at UNO. The Privateers have won six of their last seven. In Thibodaux, Central Arkansas is at Nicholls.