Southern scored three runs in the seventh to complete a comeback from a 7-0 deficit and beat Florida A&M 8-7 at the SWAC tournament this afternoon. The Jags were led by Jovante Dorris, who drove in three runs and started the seventh-inning rally with a double. Dorris has eight hits, eight runs scored, and nine RBI over his last four games. Southern will face the winner of Prairie View and Florida A&M Saturday at 9 am.

Grambling stayed alive as well, blasting Texas Southern 14-5. JC Bonilla went five and a third innings allowing one run on four hits for the Tigers. Grambling also got three-run home runs from Shemar Page and Keylon Mack. They play again tonight against the loser between Alabama State and Bethune-Cookman.

Tulane routed Cincinnati 13-5, getting revenge for an 8-1 loss in their American Conference tournament opener. Rightfielder Teo Banks hit for the cycle in the game, going 4-for-6 with four RBI and three runs scored. The Green Wave will face East Carolina at 9 am Saturday morning.

–Break

At the Sun Belt tourney tonight, fourth-seeded UL-Lafayette faces number five South Alabama and UL-Monroe battles top-seeded Texas State.

LSU finally got to take the field at the SEC baseball tournament on Thursday and it was worth the wait as the Tigers beat Kentucky 11-6. Barring any changes with the weather, LSU will face top-seeded Tennessee tonight. The game is expected to start at 8 pm, but that is certainly subject to change.

McNeese scored a dramatic 6-5 win over Southeastern Thursday night to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Southland Conference Championship series. Game 2 is tonight in Lake Charles.

Second-seeded Louisiana Tech earned a 7-2 win over 3rd-seeded Old Dominion to advance to the Conference USA Baseball Championship semifinals. Tech will play either Old Dominion or Charlotte on Saturday.

—

One-half of the NBA Finals matchup is set, with the Golden State Warriors making it back for the sixth time in eight seasons and beating Dallas 120-110 last night. Tonight Boston will try to close out the Heat in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics lead the series 3-2.

LSU finally got to take the field at the SEC baseball tournament and it was worth the wait as the Tigers beat Kentucky 11-6. Freshman Josh Pearson went 5-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, becoming the first LSU player to ever record five hits in an SEC tournament game. Tyler McManus and Jordan Thompson also drove in three runs each. Ma’Khail Hilliard gave the Tigers six strong innings of work, allowing only two runs on four hits while striking out six to improve to 7-1. LSU will face top-seeded Tennessee Friday night. The game is expected to start at 8 pm but is certainly subject to change.

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Second-seeded Louisiana Tech earned a 7-2 win over 3^rd-seeded Old Dominion to advance to the Conference USA Baseball Championship semifinals. Ryan Jennings pitched seven innings of no-hit ball to pick up the win, while Taylor Young paced the offensive attack with three hits and three RBI. The Bulldogs also earned their 40^th win of the season, reaching that mark for the second straight year. Tech will play either Old Dominion or Charlotte on Saturday.

—

McNeese scored a dramatic 6-5 win over Southeastern Thursday night to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Southland Conference Championship series. Peyton Johnson drove in the winning run with a pinch-hit sac fly in the 12^th inning to give the Cowboys their 12^th straight win in the tournament, tying the longest streak in Southland history. Game 2 is tonight in Lake Charles.

And Southern topped Jackson State 8-7 in the SWAC.

—

The Saints completed the first of three sessions of organized team activities or OTAs on Thursday, their first under new coach Dennis Allen. It’s only been three practices, but new safety Tyrann Mathieu has already made his impression felt. Allen says the three-time All-Pro has been exactly that from the moment he walked into the facility.

Cut 18 (20) “…benefit us.”

After a long wait, LSU’s bats were ready to score some runs in the SEC Tournament late last night. The Tigers trounced the Kentucky Wildcats 11-6 as freshman left fielder Josh Pearson became the first LSU player to record five hits in an SEC tournament game as he had three singles, one double and a two-run homer. Ma’Khail Hilliard earned his seventh win as he worked six innings, holding the Wildcats to two runs on four hits and striking out six. Tonight at 8:00, LSU will play top-ranked Tennessee.

Louisiana Tech is now 2-and-0 in the Conference USA Tournament after beating Old Dominion seven to two. Ryan Jennings had a no-hitter into the seventh inning as he won his sixth game. Taylor Young had three hits and drove in three runs. The Bulldogs are off today and will play either Old Dominion or Charlotte tomorrow morning.

McNeese outlasted Southeastern Louisiana six to five in 12 innings to take game one of their championship series in the Southland Baseball Tournament. The Cowboys have won 12 straight Southland Conference Tournament games, matching Sam Houston’s record set in the 2000s. A win for the Cowboys tonight in Lake Charles and they head to the NCAA Tournament.

The Saints completed the first of three sessions of organized team activities or OTAs on Thursday, their first under new coach Dennis Allen. Not all of the players were there, but Allen is not bothered by that.
Cut 16 (17) “…where we’re at.”
No Alvin Kamara as he faces battery charges from incident that occurred in Las Vegas last February. No Michael Thomas either, but Allen says Thomas will be ready for training camp.

Two things are certain. One, LSU will play a baseball game tonight. Two, their opponent is Kentucky. Other than that…who knows? Originally slated to start at 7 pm, the Tigers’ SEC tournament opener is now TBD…Due to inclement weather in Hoover, Alabama start times for all games have once again been pushed back. LSU is scheduled to play the third game of the day, following Florida and Texas A&M and Vanderbilt and Tennessee. SEC Network host Peter Burns says LSU can use the time off to its advantage on the way to grabbing a couple of much-needed wins in its bid to host an NCAA regional.

Cut 17 (19) “…on the road.”

This is the first time since 2017 the Tigers have had a first-round bye, which was the also the last time they won the tournament.

—

At the SWAC tourney, Southern, the top-seed in the West, finally opened play today against Jackson State. Grambling will face either Alabama State or Texas Southern Friday in an elimination game.

Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech faces third-seeded Old Dominion in the Conference USA tournament.

The best-of-three Southland Conference championship series starts tonight in Lake Charles with the top two seeds, McNeese and Southeastern squaring off. The Cowboys swept the Lions during the regular season. Game one starts at 6 pm.

Due to weather, the Sunbelt conference tourney is now single-elimination. No games today, but UL-Lafayette will play South Alabama at 4 pm Friday, followed by UL-Monroe and top-seeded Texas State.

—

Good news for Pelicans fans as Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to basketball activities without restriction. Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season after breaking a bone in his right foot.

The Saints’ preseason schedule is final. New Orleans will play three games starting on the road vs the Texans on Aug. 13 and the Packers on the 19^th; finishing at home on Aug. 26 versus the Chargers.

After several delays, the LSU Tigers will finally get to play their opening game at the SEC tournament when they face 12^th-seeded Kentucky at 7 pm tonight. Having a couple of extra days of rest could be good for the LSU pitching staff. Ma’Khail Hilliard has been the team’s top starting pitcher, but a true number two hasn’t emerged, meaning the Tigers will rely heavily on their bullpen. SEC Network host Peter Burns says a lack of quality arms is a problem across the SEC.

Cut 18 (20) “…is injured.”

—

Tulane beat South Florida, 9-6 to stave off elimination in the AAC tournament. The Wave will play either Cincinnati or East Carolina on Friday at 1 pm.

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In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech scored a 4-0 shutout of Charlotte. The Bulldogs scored all four runs in the bottom of the first, capped off by a two-run home run by Adarius Myers. Cade Gibson went five innings, striking out seven without a walk to pick up the win. Tech advances to face third-seeded Old Dominion this afternoon at 4 pm.

Grambling fell to Bethune-Cookman 4-3 at the SWAC tourney. The Tigers will face either Alabama State or Texas Southern this afternoon in an elimination game. Southern opens the tournament against Jackson State at 1 pm.

Due to weather, the Sunbelt conference tourney is now single-elimination. No games today, but UL-Lafayette will play South Alabama at 4 pm Friday, followed by UL-Monroe and top-seeded Texas State.

The best-of-three Southland Conference championship series starts tonight in Lake Charles with the top two seeds, McNeese and Southeastern squaring off. The Cowboys swept the Lions during the regular season, outscoring Southeastern 21-11 over three games. Game one starts at 6 pm.

—

The Saints’ preseason schedule is final. New Orleans will play three games starting on the road vs the Texans on Aug. 13 and the Packers on the 19^th; finishing at home on Aug. 26 versus the Chargers.

Weather continues to wreak havoc on the SEC baseball tournament. LSU was scheduled to play its first game in the tourney last night, then it was scheduled for this morning, now the hope is the Tigers will play today at 4:30 against 12th seeded Kentucky, who beat Auburn 3 to 1 yesterday. The LSU game is scheduled to be the third game of the day, but more rain is in the forecast for Hoover, Alabama. SEC Network’s Peter Burns says the extra rest is helpful, but the Tigers really need to get some wins too…
cut 17 (19) “….on the road”

Because of all of the rain in Montgomery, Alabama, the Sun Belt Tournament has been turned into a single-elimination tournament. So the fourth-seeded Ragin Cajuns will face fifth-seeded South Alabama at 4 PM tomorrow. Following that game it will be ULM against top-seeded Texas State.

At the Conference USA Tournament in Hattiesburg, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs blanked Charlotte four to nothing. It’s the Diamond Dogs’ first shutout in tournament history and Adarius Myers hit a home run and drove in two runs. Tech takes on Old Dominion at 4 PM today.

In the SWAC Tournament, Grambling State lost to Bethune Cookman four to three. While Southern is scheduled to play Jackson State this morning.

The Southland Conference’s championship series gets underway in Lake Charles tonight as McNeese hosts Southeastern Louisiana in a best of three series, with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Like the Huns trying to invade China, LSU’s opening game at the SEC baseball tournament has been pushed back. Again. The Tigers are now scheduled to face 12^th-seeded Kentucky at 1 pm on Thursday afternoon, nearly two full days after the game was originally supposed to be played. With the Wildcats getting past fifth-seeded Auburn, LSU will likely need a couple of wins in Hoover to have any chance of hosting an NCAA regional. The Tigers hosting at “The Box” is almost as much of a summer tradition as crawfish boils or hurricane parties, and both the team and its fans would love to see that tradition continue. However, Coach Jay Johnson says his focus is on getting better each game, not worrying about where the games are played.

Cut 19 (12) “…and really improve.”

—

Tulane and South Florida are well underway in their American Athletic Conference tournament elimination game. The winner will play Friday afternoon against either Cincinnati or East Carolina, while the loser goes home.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech began its pursuit of a second consecutive NCAA tournament bid and its first conference tournament championship since 1987 this afternoon against the Charlotte 49ers. If the Bulldogs win today they will take on third-seeded Old Dominion tomorrow afternoon. A loss puts them into an elimination game with Middle Tennessee at 9 am.

Start times in the SWAC tourney were delayed by rain as well. Southern and Grambling hold the top two seeds in the West. The Tigers face Bethune-Cookman and the Jags will play Jackson State.

On day two of the Sunbelt Tournament, number 10 seed UL-Monroe will face top-seeded Texas State at 7:30 pm. The U-L Ragin Cajuns are in action against South Alabama.

—

In the NBA Playoffs, Miami and Boston are all tied at two games each heading into tonight’s game five. Last night, Dallas forced a game five with Golden State with a 119-109 victory.

Rain continues to fall in Hoover, Alabama, delaying several games at the SEC Tournament so far. At this point, fourth-seeded LSU’s opener has been pushed back until 9:30 Thursday morning. Having almost five full days off between games could challenge the focus of a team that comes in red-hot. Coach Jay Johnson says playing in the SEC requires postseason-type focus all season long, and that mentality will carry over in LSU’s approach to the tournament.

Cut 18 (19) “…element of competing.”

The Tigers will face the winner of this morning’s game between Auburn and Kentucky.

—

Fifth-seeded Tulane looks to stay alive in the American Conference tournament when they take on eighth-seeded South Florida at 3 pm.

—

For the second year in a row, Louisiana Tech will open the Conference USA tournament facing the team it closed the regular season against. The Bulldogs beat UTSA in the first round last season and are looking for a similar outcome against Charlotte this year. Here’s Coach Lane Burroughs…

Cut 17 (15) “…just played them.”

Game time is set for 12:30 pm on ESPN+.

Start times in the SWAC tourney are up in the air due to rain in Birmingham. So Grambling and Southern are in a holding pattern for the time being.

On day two of the Sunbelt Tournament, number 10 seed UL-Monroe will face top-seeded Texas State at 7:30 pm. The WarHawks topped Georgia State, 8-5 in their opener. Up first though at 4 o’clock this afternoon, the Ragin Cajuns will battle South Alabama. U-L Lafayette will send southpaw Brandon Talley to the mound.

—

Because of rain, LSU’s scheduled game tonight in the SEC Baseball Tournament has been pushed back until tomorrow morning. So Tigers Coach Jay Johnson will have to wait one more day before he makes his debut in a tournament he calls one of college baseball’s great showcases…
cut 20 (17) “….outside of Omaha”
The plan was to play four single-elimination games yesterday, but only three were played because of the weather. 11th seeded Alabama upset sixth-seeded Georgia five to three, seventh-seeded Florida edged South Carolina two to one in ten innings and 8th seeded Vanderbilt defeated 9th seeded Ole Miss 3-1. LSU will play the winner of this morning’s game between Auburn and Kentucky tomorrow morning at 9:30.

Louisiana Tech opens play in the Conference USA baseball tournament this afternoon against Charlotte. The Bulldogs are seeking their second consecutive NCAA tournament bid. Coach Lane Burroughs believes Tech has done all it can to earn a spot in the field, but winning a few more games can’t hurt.
Cut 16 (17) “…leave no doubt.”
The Bulldogs and the 49ers will get underway at 12:30 in Hattiesburg.

10th seeded ULM rallied from a three-run deficit to beat seventh-seeded Georgia State eight to five yesterday in a single-elimination game. Chase DeJean drove in three runs, including the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on a squeeze bunt. The Warhawks will face top-seeded Texas State tonight.

At 4 Pm today, The Ragin Cajuns will battle South Alabama. U-L Lafayette will send southpaw Brandon Talley to the mound.

Rainy weather has pushed back some start times at the SEC baseball tournament in Hoover, Alabama. So far just one game has been completed, with Alabama topping Georgia 5-3 this morning. LSU was slated to play the winner of tonight’s game between Kentucky and Auburn, but that has been postponed until noon tomorrow, leaving the Tigers in limbo for the time being. However, delays don’t change the Tigers’ goals and outfielder Dylan Crews says they’ve come to Hoover on a mission.

Cut 18 (20) “…ready for it.”

—

ULM lives to fight another day after coming from two runs down to stun Georgia State, 8-5 in the Sun Belt tournament. The WarHawks will face top-seeded Texas State tomorrow night.

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In other college baseball action, fifth-seeded Tulane lost to Cincinnati 8-1 in their American Conference tournament opener. The Wave will take on either South Florida or East Carolina tomorrow afternoon in an elimination game. Tulane has lost six of its last seven games.

The SWAC tourney opens tomorrow with Southern and Grambling holding the top two seeds in the West. The Tigers will take on Bethune-Cookman while the Jags square off with Jackson State.

Louisiana Tech takes on Charlotte in the first round of the Conference USA tournament tomorrow as well. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30.

The best-of-three Southland tournament championship series starts on Thursday between second-seeded Southeastern and top-seed McNeese in Lake Charles.

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Zachary High School quarterback Eli Holstein announced his verbal commitment to play for Alabama as a member of the Class of 2023. Holstein was originally committed to Texas A&M and is rated as a four-star prospect and threw for 32-hundred yards with 30 touchdowns last season.

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