11:40 LRN Sportscast February 22

Entering the season, expectations for LSU baseball’s offense were sky-high. The Tigers did nothing to lower those after posting a program-record 51 runs in their opening series against Maine. Cade Doughty did his part, with five extra-base hits, including two home runs and 12 RBI on his way to winning SEC Player of the Week honors. He likes where the Tigers are right now in their approach at the plate.

Cut 16 (10) “…strive for.”

LSU is back in action on Wednesday at Louisiana Tech, which swept Wichita State in its opening series.

Other in-state baseball matchups today: the U-L Cajuns host Southeastern at Russo Park tonight, and Grambling takes on UNO. Houston visits Lake Charles to take on McNeese.

It’s also a big week for college hoops as the regular season nears its end. Tulane hosts 14th-ranked Houston on Wednesday with the chance to claim sole possession of 3rd place in the American Conference. LSU and Louisiana Tech have big conference matchups on Thursday and Southern will try to reclaim the top spot in the SWAC on Friday.

Brackets are out for the 2022 LHSAA Boys’ Basketball Playoffs. Zachary takes the top seed in Class 5A, Carver is tops in 4A with Madison Prep number one in 3A. In the 2A bracket, Lakeview is the favorite, and North Central leads the way in 1A.

The first round begins on Friday with Marsh Madness scheduled for March 7-12 at Burton Coliseum on the campus of McNeese State University.

The Girls quarterfinals start this weekend, with all top seeds still in action. Their semifinals and championships will be held February 28-March 5 at the University Center at Southeastern.

Nicholls guard Ty Gordon was named Southland Conference Player of the Week for the sixth time this season and the eighth time in his career, both conference records. He averaged 29.5 points and 3.5 assists in two wins for the Colonels, including a career-high 31 in a win over McNeese.

After making contact with a Wisconsin assistant coach following a loss to the Badgers on Saturday, University of Michigan head coach Juwan Howard has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season and fined $40 thousand by the Big Ten. Three players, two from Michigan and one from Wisconsin have been suspended for one game each. Howard will be eligible to coach in the Big Ten tournament next month.

LRN 6:45 Sportscast

LSU sophomore second baseman Cade Doughty has been named SEC player of the week after driving in 12 runs in the Fighting Tigers sweep over Main. Doughty was also eight for 14 at the plate…
cut 17 (11) “…pitch to drive”
Doughty and the Tigers are set to drive to Ruston tomorrow night to face Louisiana Tech.

The Bulldogs are coming off a sweep over Witchita State and ranked 15th by Collegiate Baseball. Tech closer Kyle Crigger is the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week after earning a win and a save on back-to-back days.

In college baseball action tonight, the Ragin Cajuns host Southeastern Louisiana tonight. U-L Lafayette just two of three from 14th ranked UC Irvine while the Lions took two of three from S-I-U Edwardsville.

Yesterday in Thibodaux, Wes Toups hit a grand slam but Missouri still beat Nicholls seven to four to take three of four from the Colonels.

The LSU men’s basketball team leaves today for Lexington as the Tigers will visit sixth-ranked Kentucky tomorrow. The Wildcats have yet to lose a home game this season and Tigers Coach Will Wade says they need to start making more free throws…
cut 27 (16) “….the season”
LSU was just 13 of 22 from the free-throw line in a loss to South Carolina on Saturday.

The LSU Lady Tigers are up to number eight in the AP women’s Top 25 poll. It’s the Lady Tigers highest ranking since 2008. LSU has won six in a row and host Alabama on Thursday.

The Saints have hired Kodi Burns as the team’s wide receivers coach. The 33-year-old has previously coached at Tennessee and Auburn. It will be his job to help develop a receiver that can help out Michael Thomas who is expected to return for the 2022 season.

4:45 LRN Sportscast February 21

The LSU women’s basketball team continues to roll. The Tigers beat number 17 Florida on Sunday, 66-61. With the victory, LSU claims sole possession of second place in the SEC standings and climbs to number eight in the A-P rankings. It’s the highest the Tigers have been since the 2007-08 season when they reached the Final Four. Before beating back the Gators, Kim Mulkey told her team to enjoy the moment.

Cut 21 (16) “…at their school.”

Alexis Morris scored a game-high 20 points for LSU.

After a three-game sweep of Maine where LSU scored a program-record 51 runs, it should come as no surprise that one of the Tigers has earned the first SEC Player of the Week award of the new season. Sophomore infielder Cade Doughty was selected for the honor after batting .571 with three doubles, two home runs, seven runs scored, and 12 driven in over 14 at-bats.

The U-L Cajuns took two of three from 14th-ranked Cal-Irvine, the defending Big West Conference Champions, over the weekend. UNO won three games over three different opponents at the Andre Dawson Classic, while UL-M dropped two of three against Southern Illinois. Louisiana Tech swept its three-game set with Wichita State, with reliever Kyle Crigger earning Conference USA Pitcher of the Week honors after picking up a win and a save in two scoreless appearances.

Dennis Allen continues to fill out his staff, as University of Tennessee receivers coach Kodi Burns has been hired for the same role with the New Orleans Saints, according to a report by ESPN. The Saints have struggled to find consistent production at the wideout position over the last two seasons with Michael Thomas missing 26 of the 33 games in that time. Last season, Marquez Callaway led the team with 698 yards, the lowest total for a Saints top receiver since Eric Martin’s 675 in 1986.

Back in Baton Rouge, LSU’s new receivers coach and passing game coordinator, Cortez Hankton, will remain with the team after interviewing with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Hankton joined Brian Kelly’s staff last month after four seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs.

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 21

With four games left in the regular season, the LSU men’s basketball team is 7-and-7 in the SEC tied with three other teams for fifth place. The Tigers let one get away on Saturday as they fell to South Carolina 77-75. Tari Eason had 21 points to lead the way for the Tigers, but he also had six turnovers, including a critical one with 1:43 left that led to a South Carolina dunk and a three-point Gamecocks lead…

Cut 18 (20) “…fought hard.”

The LSU women, however, continue to roll. The 11th-ranked Tigers beat number 17 Florida on Sunday, 66-61. With the victory, LSU moves into sole possession of second place in the SEC standings with just two games to play. More than 13 thousand were on hand to watch the Tigers, the fourth-largest crowd in program history. Alexis Morris scored a game-high 20 points for LSU.

After shooting 34-percent from the field in a loss Thursday to UTEP, Louisiana Tech rebounded to shoot 53-percent Saturday in a 95-71 win over UTSA. Bulldogs coach Eric Konkol says his team responded well to Thursday’s loss…

Cut 19 (20) _“… playing with confidence”

On the diamond, Bulldogs baseball took three from Wichita State. In Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns won their series with 14th-ranked Cal-Irvine and UNO won three straight as hosts of the Andre Dawson Classic.

The Jay Johnson-era of LSU baseball is off to a swinging start. The Tigers opened the season with a three-game sweep of Maine and in doing so, scored a program-record 51 runs topping the previous record of 45 set against Western Kentucky in 1996. LSU batters combined to hit .388 with 45 hits, including seven home runs and 49 RBI.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

It was a successful start to the Jay Johnson era as the LSU Tigers set a record for most runs in a three-game series by crossing the plate 51 times in a sweep over Maine. The Bayou Bengals beat the Black Bears 21-6 yesterday as Brady Jobert homered and drove in four runs.

The Ragin Cajuns took two of three from 14th ranked U-C Irvine. U-L won five to three on Sunday. Carson Roccaforte had a two-two run single in the eighth inning and the Cajuns pitching staff held the Anteaters to five hits.

Nicholls beat Missouri nine to eight yesterday to salvage a game in the series.

With four games left in the regular season, the LSU men’s basketball team is 7-and-7 in the SEC and tied with four other teams for fifth place. The Fighting Tigers let one get away on Saturday as they fell to South Carolina 77-75, despite a 14 point lead in the first half. Coach Will Wades…
Cut 16 (22) “…these out.”

The 11th ranked LSU women’s basketball team moved into sole possession of second place in the SEC as the Lady Tigers topped 17th ranked Florida 66-61 in front of 13-thousand fans in the Maravich Center. Alexis Morris had 20 points, while Autumn Newby added 13 points for LSU who is 23-4 on the season.

After beating UTSA 95-71 on Saturday, the Louisiana Tech men’s team is tied with UAB for second place in the West Division of Conference USA. The Bulldogs will visit division leader North Texas on Saturday, but Coach Eric Konkol says they first have to worry about Rice on Thursday…
cut 20 (18) “…..on Thursday”

7:30 LRN Sportscast

Louisiana Radio Network Sports, I’m Erik Piccoli

The Jay Johnson era is off to a good start as the eighth ranked LSU baseball team manhandled the Maine Black Bears 13 to 1 last night at Alex Box Stadium. Blake Money was outstanding in his first Friday night start as he tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out ten. Tre Morgan had three hits to lead the offense.

Louisiana Tech fell behind 3-to-nothing to Wichita State but ended up winning seven to three. Jorge Corona homered and drove in three runs.

Trace Henry’s two-out RBI single in the eight inning was the only run at Warhawk Field last night as ULM blanked Southern Illinois one to nothing.

The Ragin Cajuns fell to 20th ranked UC Irvine seven to four as the Anteaters scored five runs in the fifth inning to win. Tough night for Brandon Talley as he surrendered five runs in relief.

Missouri beat Nicholls 12-1, Stephen F Austin over Northwestern State seven to three and McNeese defeated Stony Brook six to four.

Louisiana Radio Network Sports.
_______________________________________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team goes after its fourth straight win this afternoon when they visit South Carolina. The Tigers are seven and six in league play, while the Gamecocks are 6-and-7.

The Cajuns host ULM tonight after beating the Warhawks by a one point in Monroe on Thursday. Louisiana Tech can use a win as they host U-T-S-A at 6 PM. The Miners are two and 12 in Conference USA and ended a five-game losing streak by beating Southern Miss on Thursday.

There is a college football game today and that’s the Legacy Bowl at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium. It’s a college football all-star game featuring players from historically black colleges. Grambling Legend Doug Williams is excited about the possibility of the Legacy Bowl helping pro dreams become a reality…
cut 15 (17) “….that they need”
The game airs live on the NFL Network at 3 PM.
Louisiana Radio Network.

4:45 LRN Sportscast February 18

A new era of LSU baseball begins tonight as the Tigers start a three-game weekend series against the Maine Black Bears at Alex Box Stadium. LSU’s preseason rankings range from as high as third from Collegiate Baseball to tenth from Baseball America. There are a lot of new faces on the team, including first-year head coach Jay Johnson who says he doesn’t have a set line-up just yet…

Cut 16 (14) “…throughout a weekend.”

In other college baseball around the state, Louisiana Tech begins the season with big expectations after hosting a Regional last year and is one of the favorites to win Conference USA this season. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says they have to put last year behind them…

Cut 20 (16) “…want it.”

The HBCU Legacy Bowl, created by Grambling football legends James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams kicks off tomorrow at 3pm from Tulane’s Yulman Stadium and airs on the NFL Network. 98 draft-eligible players will take the field with more than two dozen NFL scouts expected to be in attendance, Williams is excited about the possibility of the Legacy Bowl helping pro dreams become a reality.

Cut 15 (17) “…that they need.”

The New Orleans Pelicans stumbled into the All-Star break on a four-game losing streak, but the Pels will be represented in Cleveland during the weekend’s festivities. Rookie Herb Jones will participate in Friday night’s Rising Stars game featuring NBA rookies, sophomores, and players from the NBA G-League Unite. And recently acquired CJ McCollum takes the stage on Saturday with his third appearance in the three-point shooting contest.

11:40 LRN Sportscast February 18

A new era of LSU baseball begins tonight as the Tigers begin a three-game weekend series against the Maine Black Bears at Alex Box Stadium. Right-hander Blake Money will take the mound as the Tigers’ opening day starter. Last season as a freshman, Money appeared in 15 games, making two starts, while recording a 1-2 record with an 8.68 ERA. First-year head coach Jay Johnson says that Money should be just that for LSU. With a live arm and multiple pitches at his disposal, he’s the guy he wants on the hill.

Cut 18 (18) “…a good start.”

The 11th-ranked LSU women took care of business on the road, beating Mississippi State, 71-59, extending its winning streak to five games. The Tigers went into the fourth quarter trailing by two, then outscored the Bulldogs 24-10 in the fourth. Alexis Morris scored a game-high 23 points, with Khayla Pointer adding 18.

In other college baseball around the state, Louisiana Tech begins the season with big expectations after hosting a Regional last year and is one of the favorites to win Conference USA this season. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says they have to put last year behind them…

Cut 20 (16) “…want it.”

The Bulldogs saw their three-game basketball win streak come to an end, falling 60-63 to UTEP last night at the Thomas Assembly Center. Tech shot a season-low 34 percent from the floor but still had its chances late. Cobe Williams led the Bulldogs with 19 points, with Kenneth Lofton Jr. racked up his 15th double-double with 12 points and 16 boards.

CJ McCollum scored a season-high 38 points, but they weren’t enough to overcome 49 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists from Luka Doncic, as the Pelicans lost to the Mavericks, 118-125. New Orleans goes into the All-Star break on a four-game losing streak.

And the College Football Playoff will remain at four teams through the 2025 season.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

A new era of LSU baseball begins tonight when the Fighting Tigers open the season by hosting Maine. Coach Jay Johnson will fill out his first line-up card as the head coach at LSU and says his goal is to win as many games as possible…
cut 17 (18) “…while doing that”

The Cajuns open their 99th season of recorded intercollegiate baseball by hosting 14th ranked U-C Irvine for a three-game series that begins tonight at 6 PM at Russo Park. Coach Matt Deggs likes opening the year by facing a nationally ranked opponent….
Cut 19 (13)_“… all of it”

The Pelicans finished a six-game homestand by losing to Dallas 125 to 118 last night. CJ McCollum had 38 points for New Orleans, but Luka Doncic (Don-sic) had 49 points and 15 rebounds as the Pels go two and four on the homestand.

The 11th ranked LSU Lady Tigers won their fifth straight as they defeated Mississippi State 71-59. LSU went on a 17-3 run to end the game and Alexis Morris had 23 points.

A Kobe Julien free throw with two seconds left gave the Ragin Cajuns a 78-77 victory over ULM. Jordan Brown led UL Lafayette with 26 points, while Andre Jones had 26 in a losing effort for the Warhawks.

Louisiana Tech suffered a tough loss at home as they fell to U-TEP 63-60.

In the Southland, Nicholls won its sixth straight as it beat McNeese 82-73, Ty Gordon had 31 points. Gus Okafor had 32 points as Southeastern Louisiana beat Corpus Christi 83-74 and Northwestern STate clobbered UIW 88-64

4:45 LRN Sportscast February 17

The 11th-ranked LSU women are on the road tonight to face Mississippi State. The Tigers have won four in a row, and are led by the reigning SEC Player of the Week, Alexis Morris. While LSU is picking up wins, offense has been a struggle for the Tigers at times. Kim Mulkey isn’t worried about that. She’s far more concerned about her team getting stops than she is about getting buckets.

Cut 21 (14) “…playing solid defense.”

The New Orleans Pelicans look to end their six-game homestand and go into the All-Star break on a high note. They enter tonight’s contest with the Dallas Mavericks with a 2-3 record over the first five games at the Smoothie King Center and are coming off of a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Pels have fallen a game and a half behind Portland for the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

Louisiana bettors wagered nearly $40.5 million in the first four days that mobile sports betting was available, according to figures released by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. At the state’s 13 retail sportsbooks, nearly $50 million was wagered during January, with $5.3 million in revenue generated.

The New Orleans Saints have decided to stick with Pete Carmichael as the team’s offensive coordinator, as reported by the NFL Network. Carmichael joined Sean Payton’s staff in 2006 and was promoted to the OC position in 2009. The Saints reportedly interviewed former Washington head coach Jay Gruden, Dallas assistant Robert Prince and Indianapolis coach Scottie Montgomery for the offensive coordinator role before deciding to stick with Carmichael.

Another NFL player is a suspect in the assault case against Saints running back Alvin Kamara. A Las Vegas news station is reporting that Chris Lammons of the Kansas City Chiefs was also involved in the altercation the night before the Pro Bowl. So far, two other associates of Kamara have been arrested with police still searching for Lammons.

The LHSAA Soccer Championships scheduled for today have been postponed until Saturday due to weather. The girls Division I title match between Dominican and St. Joseph’s is now set for 4:30 pm Saturday, with the boys DI match between Catholic of Baton Rouge and Dutchtown will follow at 7:30 pm.

Yesterday, St. Thomas More claimed both the Division II girls and boys championships. University Lab and Newman took the boys Division III and IV titles respectively, with Loyola Prep and Sacred Heart winning the girls championships in those divisions earlier in the week.