LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine met with the media Tuesday following the release of the listing of the state’s select and nonselect schools for the 2022-23 academic year. More than half of all schools are now listed as select and that number could still change pending appeals. Football is the biggest question on everyone’s minds, so when asked about the size and shape of this fall’s playoffs, Bonine says that the size of the brackets won’t be determined until late August or early September and that the association plans to use common sense in determining how many schools in each classification will qualify for the postseason.

Cut 17 (18) “…on a bracket.”

Schools have until June 21 to submit a written appeal

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Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is hanging up the mic for the time being. The chairman of NBC sports told the Associated Press that Brees will not serve as the network’s color analyst for Notre Dame Broadcasts or serve as a studio host for their NFL coverage on Sundays. Brees reportedly wanted to spend more time with his family. And I think NBC wanted him to as well.

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Tulane baseball has removed the interim tag from Jay Uhlman, naming him as the program’s 25th head coach on Tuesday. Uhlman took over for Travis Jewett on May 16 and led the Green Wave to a 3-4 record, taking them to the semifinals of the AAC baseball tournament. Tulane also has the 25^th ranked recruiting class in the nation coming in this fall according to D1Baseball-dot-com.

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Football season is months away, but preseason predictions are already flowing in. Southeastern Louisiana is ranked 19^th in the 2022 Athlon Sports FCS Preseason Top 25. The Lions are one of six teams to be ranked in the final FCS Top 25 in each of the past three seasons. Meanwhile, linebacker Tyler Grubbs headlines 10 Louisiana Tech players named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Teams. The Bulldogs begin their first season under Sonny Cumbie on Sept. 1 against Missouri.

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LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine met with the media Tuesday following the release of the listing of the state’s select and non-select schools for the 2022-23 academic year. More than half of all schools are now listed as select because of their enrollment policy and that number could still change pending appeals.
Cut 16 (17) “…subject to change.”
Schools have until June 21 to submit a written appeal. Bonine says once they have the number of select schools decided, they will be divided into four equal divisions for football. That might not happen until September and there’s the possibility some brackets could be 16-teams for both select and non-select playoffs.

Governor John Bel Edwards has decided to let a bill that prohibits transgender women from playing female sports become law without his signature. Edwards says if he vetoed the bill for a second consecutive year, it’s likely lawmakers would have overridden his veto. The bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, says the intent of her legislation has been to protect women’s sports not to exclude individuals…
cut 9 (08) “….for that”
The law goes into effect on August 1st.

It’s official that former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is no longer with NBC Sports. The chairman of NBC sports told the Associated Press that Brees will not serve as the network’s color analyst for Notre Dame broadcasts or serve as a studio host for their NFL coverage on Sunday. Brees reportedly wanted to spend more time with his family.

Tulane has removed the interim tag from Jay Uhlmann and named him their new baseball coach.

LSU’s baseball season came to an end with an 8-7 loss to Southern Miss in the final of the Hattiesburg Regional.  It was an emotional defeat for the entire team, which had fought back for dramatic wins on Friday and Saturday. But two straight heartbreaking losses had the Tigers searching for words. Coach Jay Johnson said he didn’t expect the season to end like this.

Cut 18 (24) “…win today.”

LSU finished its first season under Johnson at 40-22.

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Tyler McManus, Dylan Crews, Josh Pearson, and Cade Doughty were named to the Hattiesburg Regional All-Tournament Team.

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LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine met with the media Tuesday following the release of the listing of the state’s select and nonselect schools for the 2022-23 academic year. More than half of all schools are now listed as select and that number could still change pending appeals. When asked about the size and shape of this fall’s high school football playoffs, Bonine says that the size of the brackets won’t be determined until late August or early September and that the association plans to use common sense in determining how many schools in each classification will qualify for the postseason.

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Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, is the new chief medical adviser for the Southeastern Conference. O’Neal has been working with the SEC since 2020 as part of its COVID-19 task force. She says her immediate goals are to establish a rapport with schools and identify their health priorities.

Cut 10 (12) “…conference standards.”

The LSU baseball season ended last night with an 8-7 loss to Southern Miss in the final of the Hattiesburg Regional. The Tigers led 4-1 after three innings but the Golden Eagles re-took the lead in the seventh by scoring four runs to grab a 7-4 lead. LSU tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on a Gavin Dugas pinch-hit home run, but Danny Lynch would drive in the winning run in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly. Here’s Tigers coach Jay Johnson…
Cut 16 (16) “…lot to say.”
So Johnson’s first season at LSU ended with a 40-23 record, while the Southern Miss advances to the Super Regionals and will host in-state rival Ole Miss who thumped Arizona 22-6 to win the Coral Gables Regional.

The Louisiana High School Atheltic Association has released a list of schools that will switch from non-select to select because of the school’s open enrollment policy. There are several football powerhouses on the list like Acadiana, Carencro, Oak Grove, Madison Prep, and Warren Easton. Schools have until June 21 to appeal why their select and non-select status is incorrect.

Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, is the new chief medical adviser for the Southeastern Conference. O’Neal has been working with the SEC since 2020 as part of its COVID-19 task force. She says her immediate goals are to establish a rapport with schools and identify their health priorities.
Cut 10 (12) “…conference standards.”
Dr. O’Neal will work to develop conference-wide standards of health for the SEC as will conduct educational sessions for coaches, and medical staff, and meet regularly with team doctors and trainers.

After an 8-4 loss to Southern Miss on Sunday, the LSU Tigers were back on the field this afternoon facing the Golden Eagles for the Hattiesburg Regional championship. Ma’Khail Hilliard got the start for the Tigers, while Tanner Hill took the mound for Southern Miss. Coach Jay Johnson is 2-1 all-time in regional competition, leading Arizona to the College World Series in 2016 and 2021, while bowing out early in 2017.

Should the Tigers win they will face either Ole Miss, the conference rival which likely kept LSU from hosting a regional, or Arizona, Johnson’s previous employer. Either way, the stories will write themselves.

The Rebels and the Wildcats got off to a late start due to another rain delay in Coral Gables.

In other early action, Auburn advances after beating UCLA 11-4. East Carolina topped Coastal Carolina 13-4, and Louisville got past Michigan 11-9.

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In other news for the Tigers, former LSU All-America linebacker Bradie James is one of 80 players to appear on the 2023 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

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Southeastern Louisiana’s first appearance in the NCAAs since 2017 was a brief one. The Lions fell to Auburn and UCLA in the Auburn Regional by a combined score of 35-9 and finished 30-31 this season. Their loss to Auburn was their first in seven elimination games during the postseason.

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The Ragin Cajuns run in the College Station Regional did not last as long as they had hoped as U-L Lafayette was eliminated on Sunday afternoon by T-C-U. The Cajuns scored a first-inning run and that’s it in a six to one loss to the Horned Frogs. Coach Matt Deggs says his team ran out of gas…

Cut 16 (15) “…to em.”

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Meanwhile over in the Austin Regional, Louisiana Tech lost to Air Force in an elimination game nine to seven. Jake Greiving hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning off of Kyle Crigger to snap a seven-seven tie. The Bulldogs finish with a 43-21 record.

LSU’s baseball season will either continue in the super regionals or come to an abrupt end this afternoon. After dramatic comeback victories over Kennesaw State and Southern Miss to start the weekend, the Tigers fell to the Golden Eagles, 8-4 on Sunday, setting up today’s regional championship game at 3 pm.  LSU was shut out by USM lefty Justin Storm over the final five innings, and the Tigers’ bullpen surrendered three runs in the sixth, but Coach Jay Johnson says his team has responded all season long with its back against the wall.

Cut 20 (11) “…we’ll do that.”

The winner of today’s game will advance to face either Ole Miss or Arizona.

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Southeastern Louisiana’s first appearance in the NCAAs since 2017 was a brief one. The Lions fell to Auburn and UCLA in the Auburn Regional by a combined score of 35-9 and finish 30-31 this season. Their loss to Auburn was their first in seven elimination games during the postseason.

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Both the Ragin’ Cajuns and Louisiana Tech were eliminated from Regional play as well on Sunday. U-L Lafayette was knocked off by TCU, 6-1, finishing the season with a 37-23 record. The Cajuns were back in the tournament for the first time since 2016. Catcher Julian Brock says this year’s squad brought grit back to U-L baseball.

Cut 17 (12) “…hardnosed baseball.”

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Meanwhile over in the Austin Regional, Louisiana Tech lost to Air Force in an elimination game nine to seven. Jake Greiving hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning off of Kyle Crigger to snap a seven-seven tie. Tech started strong as they grabbed an early four to nothing lead thanks to a two-run homer from Taylor Young. The Bulldogs finish with a 43-21 record.

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And the NBA Finals are all even at one game apiece after Golden State defeated Boston 107-88 in Game Two Sunday Night. Steph Curry led all scorers with 29 points. Game three is Wednesday night in Boston at 8 pm.

No late-inning magic for LSU baseball last night in Hattiesburg as the Tigers fell to Southern Miss eight to four to set up a winner take all match-up at 3 PM today at Pete Taylor Park. The Golden Eagles snapped a four-four tie with a three-run sixth inning. Riley Cooper suffered the loss and Eric Reyzelman allowed two runs in a third of an inning. LSU’s bats could not do anything against Justin Storm as he threw five shutout innings for his third win of the season.

Coach Jay Johnson says they will not allow Sunday night’s defeat to impact what happens when they play the Golden Eagles again at three PM today…
cut 19 (13) “…bell rings”
We’ll see if LSU brings back Ma’Khail Hilliard after he threw for 55 pitches on Friday. Devin Fontenot and Trent Veitmeier should see some work too.

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech were eliminated from Regional play on Sunday. U-L Lafayette fell to TCU six to one to finish with a record of 37-23. Coach Matt Deggs says he’ll be forever grateful to the 2022 team for bringing the Cajuns back to the Regionals for the first time since 2016…
cut 18 (15) “….Cajun nation”

Meanwhile over in the Austin Regional, Louisiana Tech lost to Air Force in an elimination game nine to seven. Jake Greiving hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning off of Kyle Crigger to snap a seven-seven tie. Tech started strong as they grabbed an early four to nothing lead thanks to a two-run homer from Taylor Young. The Bulldogs finish with a 43-21 record.

Southeastern Louisiana did not win a game at the Auburn Regional. UCLA eliminated the Lions 16 to 2 on Saturday.

I’m Brooke Thorington and This Louisiana Radio Network Sportscast is brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com, Louisiana’s access to medical marijuana from the comfort of your home.

LSU has played in 34 NCAA Regionals and there have been great moments along the way, but what the Tigers did last night may never be seen again. The Bayou Bengals entered the eighth inning down seven runs but erupted for ten runs in the eighth inning to beat Kennesaw State 14 to 11 to advance to the winner’s bracket of the Hattiesburg Regional.

Dylan Crews drove in three runs on the night, including a two-run double to give LSU the lead in the eighth inning. Crews scored twice in that inning. Josh Pearson also had a two-run single in that inning and had three runs driven in.

It’s the largest comeback in an LSU regional since 1998 when LSU trailed Cal State Fullerton 7-0 and won 13-11.

The unbelievable comeback puts LSU into a winner’s bracket game against Southern Miss today at 6 PM. _______________________________________________

Louisiana Tech is in the winner’s bracket of the Austin Regional after defeating Dallas Baptist 12-5. Jorge (pronounced George) Corona hit two home runs including an inside-the-park grand slam when D-B-U center fielder Nathan Humphreys lost the ball in the dusk sky. Jonathan Fincher won his eighth game on the mound, giving up one run in five innings. Tech takes on Texas tonight at 6 PM.

The Ragin Cajuns are also in the winner’s bracket of the College Station Regional after holding on to beat the Horned Frogs of TCU seven to six. The eight and nine hitters hit home runs for the Cajuns, Will Veilon (VEY-on) and Trey LaFleur. Bo Bonds got the win in relief as he struck out seven in nearly five innings of work. The Cajuns face Texas A-and-M at 6 PM.

Tough night for Southeastern Louisiana as they were walloped by Auburn 19-7. The Lions play an elimination game at noon against UCLA.

This sportscast is brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com.

LSU opens NCAA Regional play tonight at 6 pm against Kennesaw State in Hattiesburg. The Owls are led by first-year coach Ryan Coe who gives all the credit to the players…

Cut 19 (19) “…we’re on here”

Kennesaw State bats .301 as a team and their top pitcher is senior left-hander John Bezdicek, who is 5-and-1 with a 3.75 ERA.

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Three other Louisiana teams get underway tonight as well. Louisiana Tech is the two seed in the Austin Regional and they face Dallas Baptist at 6:30 pm. Southeastern Louisiana will face top-seeded Auburn at Plainsman Park at 6 pm. And the Ragin’ Cajuns close the night in College Station against second-seeded TCU at 7 pm.

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LSU sophomore centerfielder Dylan Crews and sophomore third baseman Jacob Berry both earned All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball. Crews, the 2022 SEC Co-Player of the Year was named to the First-Team, while Berry received Second-Team recognition.

LSU’s 2022 baseball recruiting class, already ranked first by Perfect Game, had five of its 17 high-school signees honored with Gatorade Player of the Year awards in their home states. The Tigers have the players of the year from Louisiana, Texas, New York, Nevada, and Pennsylvania all coming to Baton Rouge this fall.

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The Saints have wrapped up week two of OTAs and Coach Dennis Allen is happy with what he’s seen so far. The offense has plenty of new personnel, so does that mean we’ll see a more aggressive Saints attack in 2022? Allen says you’ll have to wait and see.

Cut 16 (20) “…do really well.”

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LSU opens NCAA Regional play tonight at 6 pm against Kennesaw State in Hattiesburg. The Tigers could be near or at full strength offensively with the potential returns of Jacob Berry and Cade Doughty, but LSU’s success will likely hinge on its pitching. Coach Jay Johnson says his guys are ready to go.

Cut 18 (17) “…and execute.”

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Three other Louisiana teams get underway tonight as well. Louisiana Tech is the two seed in the Austin Regional and they face Dallas Baptist at 6:30 pm. Southeastern Louisiana will face top-seeded Auburn at Plainsman Park at 6 pm. And the Ragin’ Cajuns close the night in College Station against second-seeded TCU at 7 pm.

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The Saints have wrapped up week two of OTAs and Coach Dennis Allen is happy with what he’s seen so far. Former LSU star Jarvis Landry drew plenty of praise from Allen after his first few practices. Landry says he’s not quite where he wants to be, but he’s getting there.

Cut 17 (15) “…I’ll be ready.”

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The Louisiana High School Atheltic Association is redefining what a select school is by using a bylaw that calls for the promotion of fair play. The new definition could increase the number of select schools from 109 to 198, leaving 207 schools on the non-select side for the 2022-23 athletic year. Schools that want to stay on the non-select side have until June 22nd to change their open enrollment districts.

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LSU’s Ingrid Lindblad, the reigning SEC women’s golf champion, shot the lowest round by an amateur in the 77-year history of the US Women’s Open, putting up a 6-under-65 in the opening round and leaving her one stroke behind leader Mina Hiragae on Thursday.

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