LSU and Kentucky meet for the second time this season, but this time the winner of the series advances to the College World Series. The Tigers took two of three from the Wildcats in April. Coach Jay Johnson says he got an updated scouting report on the Cats by dissecting their games last weekend in the Lexington Regional…
cut 12 (14) “…to it”
Kentucky has never been to the College World Series, while LSU has not been to Omaha since 2017. Second baseman Gavin Dugas says they know how important playing in the C-W-S is for Tiger nation…
cut 18 (14) “…want to go”
Game one of the best three series is Saturday.

State lawmakers completed their work on Thursday for the regular session by approving the budget and what’s known as a capital outlay budget, which is a long list of construction projects. On that list is 101-million dollars to fund the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has said it’s time for a new arena. But even though the PMAC is listed on Louisiana’s construction budget, legislators still have to appropriate the funding for that project.

The Zion Williamson Foundation announced a new partnership between Jefferson Parish schools as they’ve launched the Jefferson Summer Bridge program. During the event, Zion’s stepfather appeared to respond to social media gossip about Williamson getting two different women pregnant. Anderson Lee said this….
cut 28 (08) “…applause”
Williamson did not talk to reporters. Earlier this week on YouTube that he and his girlfriend were expecting their first child.

LSU and Kentucky begin their best out of three Super Regional series tomorrow at Alex Box Stadium. It’s a rematch of a regular season series played in Baton Rouge in mid-April. The Tigers took two of three that weekend. Senior designated hitter Cade Beloso drove in four runs that series….
cut 19 (15) “…this weekend”
Kentucky’s team ERA is 4.17, third highest in the SEC, but the Wildcats do not have LSU’s ace Paul Skenes. There’s a marginal risk for severe weather on Saturday. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson is paying closing attention to the forecast, he can’t risk pitching Skenes in a game that could be halted for a couple of hours after three or four innings. First pitch Saturday is at 2 PM.

It’s a free fishing weekend in Louisiana, which means anyone can fish without purchasing a license. LDWF spokesperson Rene Lebreton says they hope beginners will have a good time and to improve their chances of catching something, 17 ponds across the state have been stacked with adult-sized catfish and rainbow trout….
cut 8 (12) “…their freezer”

House Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise had LSU’s Brian Kelly, Alabama’s Nick Saban and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey in his office yesterday as college football is looking to Congress to approve legislation to regulate NIL deals that compensate college athletes. There are a couple of bills being discussed, one of them would prohibit boosters from providing inducements to play for a particular school.

Four super regional series begin tomorrow, but LSU-Kentucky will have to wait until Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Tigers are hosting a Super Regional series for the first time since 2019. Kentucky is making just its second Super Regional appearance in program history. Last year the Wildcats didn’t make a Regional. Tigers coach Jay Johnson says they overhauled their roster with help from the transfer portal….
Cut 17 (25) “…to that identity.”
One of Kentucky’s best hitters, Gray Jackson, a transfer from Western Kentucky. He’s hitting .348 with 19 stolen bases.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has confirmed two Northern Snakehead fish, native to Asia, were caught by fishermen on the Old River in Concordia Parish. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois says they can grow up to 3 feet in length and they’re safe to eat.
Cut 5 (07) “…there too.
Bourgeois says if you catch a northern snakehead, don’t throw it back, because they are an invasive species and they do not want them getting a foothold in Louisiana.

North Desoto’s Aly Delafield has been named the Class 4A softball player of the year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Delafield a Northwestern State signee was 14-1 in the circle and batted .402 at the plate. The Four-A softball coach of the year is Tioga’s Brad Woodard. The Indians finished as runner-ups in Division One select.

Kentucky will arrive in Baton Rouge today for the Super Regional Series against the LSU Tigers. The Wildcats will look to put the ball in play. They don’t hit many homers, but they hit .293 as a team, they bunt, and they’ve stolen a league high 91 bases. Coach Jay Johnson is confident his defense can make the plays….
cut 18 (16) “….with it”
LSU ranks near the bottom for fielding percentage in the SEC.

LSU’s Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes are two of the three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award. The top award a college baseball player can receive. Two-way player Jac Caglianone from Florida is the third finalist.

Nicholls pitcher Jacob Mayers has been named the Collegiate Baseball Freshman Pitcher of the Year.

LDWF has confirmed two Northern Snakehead fish, native to Asia, were caught in Concordia Parish. There’s video taken by the fishermen on Old River of their unusual catch. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois says they could impact our native fisheries.
Cut 3 (10) “…the concern.”
Northern Snakeheads closely resemble Louisiana’s native Bowfin species. Bourgeois says they likely migrated from Mississippi or Arkansas.

Gambling-dot-com ranks Louisiana as the top state in the country for fishing. The state is ranked above everyone else for license cost, water area with 91-hundred square miles and the state also produced over one-point-nine billion dollars in fishing retail sales.

Saturday and Sunday is a free fishing weekend in Louisiana. That means a fishing license is not required to drop a line in the water.

LSU and Kentucky are preparing for their All-SEC Super Regional Series that will begin Saturday in Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers lead the SEC in hitting, while the Wildcats have the third-best team E-R-A in the league at 4.17. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says Kentucky has a deep pitching staff
Cut 16 (13) “…of games”
The Cats offense has 91 stolen bases and just 51 homers. The voice of U-K baseball Darren Headrick…
cut 20 (19) “…opponents defense”
First pitch Saturday is at 2 PM.

LSU’s Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes are two of the three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award. The top award a college baseball player can receive. Two-way player Jac Caglianone from Florida is the third finalist.

Nicholls pitcher Jacob Mayers has been named Collegiate Baseball Freshman of the Year. The graduate from St. Aamant was 9-1 with 2.02 ERA and 105 strikeouts. He did not receive any other college offers coming out of high school.

Louisiana Tech Coach Lane Burroughs told KNOE-TV that Cole McConnell will return next season. He was suspended in April for violating team rules after putting together an all-conference season in 2022 with 76 runs driven in.

In college football, LSU’s online roster shows running back Tre Bradford is back. This would be the Dallas’ native’s third stint with the Tigers. He was a member of the 2020 recruiting class and has only suited up in six games.

St. Martinville running back Steven Blanco has committed to the Ragin Cajuns.

The LSU baseball team held a workout today as they prepare for its Super Regional Series against the Kentucky Wildcats. The Cats have a fast-paced small-ball offense with 91 stolen bases compared to 51 homers. The voice of the Kentucky Wildcats, Darren Headrick on what the Tigers can expect for the best out of three series….
Cut 20 (20) “…opponent’s defense.”
These two teams met in mid-April and LSU took two of three. Game one of the Super Regional Series is Saturday at 1 PM.

LSU’s Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes are two of the three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award. The top award a college baseball player can receive. Two-way player Jac Caglianone from Florida is the third finalist.

Wide receiver Michael Thomas is back with his teammates as he’s participating in OTAs this week. Thomas has missed 40 of the Saints last 50 games, and many questioned his future with the team because of all the time he’s missed with ankle and toe injures. Thomas, though, would not let the injuries stop him from improving…
Cut 17 (18) “…get ready.”
Head Coach Dennis Allen says the team is taking it easy with Thomas for now, but he should be ready to go come training camp.

In college football news….according to LSU’s online roster running back Tre Bradford is back on the team. This would be the Dallas’ native’s third stint with the Tigers. He was a member of the 2020 recruiting class and has only suited up in six games.

St. Martinville running back Steven Blanco has committed to the Ragin Cajuns.

It was a welcome sight for Saints fans, wide receiver Michael Thomas catching passes from quarterback Derek Carr. Thomas made his first appearance at OTAs yesterday as he’s trying to return after suffering a season ending toe injury. His 2020 and 21 seasons were limited because of an ankle injury. Carr says Thomas’ injuries are an unfortunate reality of the NFL…
cut 18 (19) “….same way”
Head Coach Dennis Allen says the team is taking it easy with Thomas, but he should be ready to go come training camp.

Pelicans star Zion Williamson will soon be a father. Williamson and his girlfriend reveal they are expecting a baby girl.

Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas is back on the field with his teammates for organized team activities. The 2019 Offensive Player of the Year has missed much of the last three seasons with injuries, but on Tuesday he was seen catching passes with his fellow receivers. Thomas says he’s excited to get back to playing the game he loves…
Cut 16 (16) “…better player”
Thomas has missed 40 of the Saints last 50 games, and many questioned his future with the Saints and his relationship with the front office as he suffered injuries and setbacks keeping him off the field. In March, Thomas restructured his contract that resulted in him agreeing to a one-year deal that could be worth as much as 15 million dollars if he reaches certain incentives.

LSU is gearing up to host Kentucky in an All-SEC Super Regional series that’s set to start on Saturday. The Wildcats had to claw their way through the loser’s bracket in order to win the Lexington Regional. They defeated Indiana twice to keep their Omaha hopes alive. Voice of the Wildcats Darren Headrick says this is an unselfish, resilient group…
Cut 19 (19) “…of Kentucky.”
Kentucky has never been to the College World Series and this only the second time they’ve made it to a Super Regional. LSU is making its 16th Super Regional Appearance. First pitch for game one of the super regional series is at 2 PM.

The LSU baseball team will host Kentucky in the Baton Rouge Super regional this weekend after beating Oregon State 13 to 7 yesterday. The Tigers pitching has been the question mark over this team’s Omaha hopes late into the season but the pitching staff has improved, helping the Tigers outscore opponents 26-14 in the regional. Coach Jay Johnson, though, did announce pitching coach Wes Johnson will be leaving the team at the end of the season to be the new head coach at Georgia…

Cut 19

LSU will play Kentucky in a best of three series with first pitch at 2pm Saturday.

Southeastern announced Bobby Barbier as the new head baseball coach for the lions. Barrier spent the last seven seasons at northwestern state who he led to a 181-169 record in that span . Barbier’s hiring is pending approval of the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.

Northwestern State has announced their 13th baseball coach in program history. Chris Bertrand, the Demons’ Associate head coach who’s been with the team since 2017 has been promoted to Head Coach following Bobby Barbier’s departure for Southeastern Louisiana.

Saints Receiver Michael Thomas returned to the practice field for the first time at OTAs today. The former Offensive Player of the Year has missed 40 of his last 50 games and rumors have swirled surrounding his future in New Orleans. He and the team agreed to a restructured one year incentive-laden “prove-it” deal in the offseason to clear up cap space and Thomas says he’s had a great relationship with the front office…

Cut 20

Head Coach Dennis Allen said the team would take it easy with Thomas but he should be full go by training camp.

The fifth-seeded LSU Tigers are Super Regional Bound after beating Oregon State 13 to 7 yesterday in Baton Rouge. Catcher Hayden Travinski had three hits including a solo home run in the fifth inning….
Cut 16 (15) “..number is called”
After some struggles on the mound in SEC play, the pitching staff has improved. Coach Jay Johnson on what he’s seeing from his relievers…
Cut 18 (17) “..next pitch.”
LSU will play Kentucky in a best-of-three super regional series that will start in Baton Rouge Saturday at 2 PM.