LSU baseball has announced the hiring of Eddie Smith as the Tigers new hitting coach. Smith is 35-years-old and last season helped Tulane put up some big offensive numbers. He’s also been an assistant coach at Virginia, Notre Dame and Santa Clara. The Washington native also spent four seasons as a head coach on the junior college level. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Smith will be in charge of making the Tigers a better hitting team…
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Smith is replacing former Tiger Sean Ochinko, who was the team’s hitting coach last season.

The Saints announce their first training camp practice open to the public will be Friday morning, July 26th. A total of 12 practices will be open to the public. On Sunday night, August 4th, the Black and Gold will practice at Turchin Stadium on Tulane’s campus. The Saints also announce that the seating for fans who watch practice at the team’s training facility in Metairie will be covered and misted.

West Monroe quarterback Garrett Kahmann has committed to ULM, after reportedly receiving an offer from the Warhawks last September. Kahmann led the Rebels last season to the Class 5A championship game in his first season as a starter.

Hall of Fame high school football coach James Waguespack has passed away after suffering a stroke on Sunday. Waguespack was a head football coach for 32 years and won 231 games and two state championships, one at St. James and the other at Cecilia.

The American League beat the National League again last night four to three in the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman had a hit and a run scored.

The Saints released their training camp schedule today. The first practice open to the public will be Friday, July 26th at 8:50 in the morning. A total of 12 practices will be open to the public. On Sunday night, August 4th, the Black and Gold will practice at Turchin Stadium on Tulane’s campus. The Saints are also set to hold joint practices with the Chargers in Costa Mesa, California on August 15th and 16th, prior to their preseason game in Carson, California on August 18th. The Saints also announced that the seating for fans who watch practice at the team’s training facility in Metairie will be covered and misted.

Two former LSU Tigers will start for the American League in tonight’s All-Star game. D-J LeMahieu will bat second and play second, while Alex Bregman will bat sixth and play third base. LeMahieu leads the AL in batting average in his first season in New York, while Bregman leads the Astros in home runs and RBIs.

West Monroe quarterback Garrett Kahmann has committed to ULM, after reportedly receiving an offer from the Warhawks last September. Kahmann led the Rebels last season to the Class 5A championship game in his first season as a starter.

Hall of Fame high school football coach James Waguespack has passed away after suffering a stroke on Sunday night. Waguespack was a head football coach for 32 years and won 231 games and two state championships at St. James and Cecilia. The St. James grad also coached at Beau Chene. Waguespack was 76 years old.

Pelicans first-round pick Jaxon Hayes put on an impressive performance in his Summer League Debut last night in Las Vegas. Hayes had 28 points, four rebounds, and three blocked shots. The eighth overall pick had a nasty one-handed dunk as he skied over a Bulls player in a 109-72 victory. The Pels next Summer League game is tomorrow night against Cleveland.

Over 12-hundred people packed into Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette for the funeral of U-L Lafayette Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux. Robichaux died last Wednesday at the age of 57 following a heart attack. Several former players were on hand, including Jonathan Lucroy, who was hospitalized Sunday night in Houston following a nasty collision at home plate in an extra-inning loss to the Astros. Lucroy suffered a concussion and broken nose but was one an honorary pallbearer.

The Pelicans summer league team defeated the Chicago Bulls 109 to 72 yesterday. Jaxson Hayes had a huge game as he scored 28 points and was 10-of-15 from the floor. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 23 points and three three-pointers. New Orleans will play again tomorrow night against Cleveland.

For the second straight year, former LSU star Alex Bregman was bounced out of the Homerun Derby in the first round. Bregman fell to Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson. Pederson went on to lose in the semi-finals in an epic battle against Vladimir Guerrero Junior. Mets Rookie Pete Alonso was the eventual Home Run Derby champion.

Tonight is the All-Star game in Cleveland, Bregman will start for the American League All-Star team. He’ll bat sixth and play third base. Another former Tiger, D-J LeMahieu, will bat second for the American League and play second base. If the game goes into extra innings, there will be a new rule, as a runner will start the inning standing at second base.

Hundreds paid their final respects today to Ragin Cajuns Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux, who died last week following a heart attack. A touching funeral was held in Lafayette. Robichaux was praised as a man of faith and more than just a baseball coach to the hundreds of young men he had a chance to mold during his time as the head baseball coach at McNeese and U-L Lafayette. Robichaux said that when he reaches heaven, he would not be judged on how many games he won. This audio is courtesy of Darren Walker with U-L athletics…
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Robichaux was just 57-years-old. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Colleen Daily Robichaux and their one daughter Ashley Robichaux Moody.

Tiger-Rag-dot-com reports LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is making a change with his coaching staff as a volunteer assistant and hitting coach Sean Ochinko will be replaced by Tulane assistant Eddie Smith. Smith played for Mainieri at Notre Dame and he’s been an assistant coach at Virginia, Notre Dame and Santa Clara and had a successful stint as a head coach on the junior college level in his home state of Washington.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman will compete in tonight’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Bregman will face the Dodgers Joc Pederson in the first round

Tomorrow, Bregman will start for the American League All-Star team. He’ll bat sixth and play third base. Another former Tiger, D-J LeMahieu, will bat second for the American League and play second base.

Angels catcher and former Ragin Cajuns standout Jonathan Lucroy has suffered a concussion and a broken nose after a hard-hitting collision at home play in yesterday’s extra-inning loss to Houston. It’s unclear how much time Lucroy will miss.

Tonight in NBA Summer League Action, the Pelicans will battle the Bulls at 8:30 PM.

The funeral for beloved Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux is this afternoon at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette. Robichaux died last week at the age of 57 following a heart attack. He’s described as a man of faith and a leader for young men. Coach Robe told his players not to let baseball be their identity
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Hundreds of mourners paid their final respects yesterday for a public viewing of the casket at the Cajundome.

Sunday was a huge moment for women’s athletics as the U-S Soccer team won its record fourth Women’s World Cup Title and second straight with a two to nothing win over the Netherlands. Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle scored the two goals.

Sean Ochinko is out as LSU’s hitting coach and volunteer assistant. Tiger Rag-dot-com’s James Moran says Tulane recruiting coordinator Eddie Smith will replace Ochinko. Smith played for Mainieri at Notre Dame and he was previously an assistant at Virginia and a successful junior college coach in Washington.

Former Ragin Cajun Jonathan Lucroy was carted off the field yesterday after he was involved in a vicious collision at home plate with the Astros Jake Marisnick, who was trying to score from third base on a sacrifice fly. Lucroy was laid out on the play and suffered a possible concussion and nose fracture. Houston won the game 11 to 10 in 10 innings.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola allowed three hits in 6.2 innings as the Phillies defeated the Mets eight to three. Nola improved his record to 8-and-2 on the year and his ERA over his last four starts is 0.61.

The Pelicans Summer League team will face the Bulls at 8:30 tonight. No Zion Williamson as the number one pick is being held out with a bad bruise on his knee.

Longtime U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux will be laid to rest in Crowley today after a funeral service that will begin at 2 PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Lafayette. Robichaux was known for his Robeisms, which were his unique motivational sayings. He once said you can’t sharpen a knife with a Kleenex, he also once said that he wants players who drink out of a water hose and not guys who need mommy to bring them Gatorade in the third inning. Here’s one talking about the heat of a baseball schedule
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There will also be a visitation period from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Our Lady of the Fatima Catholic Church.

The three-team Anthony Davis trade was officially completed over the weekend. In a statement, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffen says A-D’s impact on the Pels franchise and Gulf South region over the past seven seasons was profound. In that trade, New Orleans acquired Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram, plus multiple draft picks.

The Pelicans play their third Summer League game tonight when they take on the Bulls at 8:30 PM. Zion Williamson played in the summer league opener but bruised his knee and he will not play in another summer league game. Former LSU Tiger Kavell Bigby-Williams has played well for the Pels, with back-to-back double-doubles, including a 14-point, 14-rebound performance against Washington on Saturday.

Tiger-Rag-dot-com reports LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is making changes with his coaching staff. Volunteer assistant and hitting coach Sean Ochinko will not return after two seasons and replacing him will be Tulane recruiting coordinator Eddie Smith.

Zion Williamson’s Pelicans debut was cut short, first by a minor knee injury and then a earthquake. A 6.9 earthquake about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles was felt in Las Vegas where the NBA Summer League is being held. During the fourth quarter of the Pelicans-Knicks Summer League Game, the Thomas and Mack Arena scoreboard and speakers above the court began swaying back and forth. The game was halted with New Orleans leading New York 80-74. After a delay, it was decided to postpone the game.

Williamson’s night was over before the earthquake hit. His knee made contact with another player’s knee and he was held out of the second half as a precaution, finishing with 11 points and 3 rebounds. The injury is not considered serious. Zion’s best moment occurred when he ripped the ball away from a Knicks player and then dunked it. Williamson made four field goals and all of them were dunks. He was also three for six from the free throw line. Frank Jackson had 30 points, as he had five three-pointers.

The Pelicans are scheduled to play again tonight against the Washington Wizards.

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UL-Lafayette Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux (Robe-uh-show), who died Wednesday at the age of 57 following multiple surgeries in the wake of a heart attack on June 23rd, will be laid to rest Monday in a service scheduled at 2PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Visitation will take place tomorrow from 3-9 PM at the Cajundome Convention Center, with an additional visitation taking place Monday at 10am. Robichaux will be buried in Crowley.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman will compete in Monday’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Bregman will face the Dodgers Joc Pederson in the first round at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Bregman lost in the first round of last year’s Home Run Derby and he has 23 round trippers this season.

Last night in the Major League Baseball…the Angels defeated the Astros five to four. Justin Verlander suffered the loss to fall to 10-and-4 on the season. The Angels hit four home runs on the night. The Yankees beat the Rays 8-4 in 11 innings as Aaron Judge swatted two home runs.

Tomorrow morning, the U-S Women’s soccer team will seek its fourth Women’s Soccer World Cup as the United States will face Netherlands.

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans make their summer league debut tonight as they take on the New York Knicks. Williamson will face his former teammate at Duke, RJ Barrett, who was drafted by the Knicks. The game will tip off at 8:30 on ESPN.

Former LSU Tiger Naz Reid is also in action today as his Minnesota Timberwolves take on Cleveland. Tomorrow, its Tremont Waters and the Boston Celtics facing the Philadelphia 76ers.

Terrebonne High star football player Ja’Khi Douglas used the Fourth of July to announce he has verbally committed to Florida State. Douglas is listed as a four-star athlete by 24-7 sports. He’s five-foot-10 185 pounds and played a variety of positions for Terrebonne last season, including quarterback, running back and receiver. Douglas also received offers from LSU, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

In the latest 24-7 recruiting rankings for 2020, LSU remains ranked third behind Clemson and Alabama.

UL-Lafayette Baseball Coach Tony Robichaux, who died Wednesday at the age of 57 following multiple surgeries in the wake of a heart attack on June 23rd, will be laid to rest Monday in a service scheduled at 2PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Visitation will take place Sunday from 3-9 PM at the Cajundome Convention Center, with an additional visitation taking place Monday at 10am. Robichaux will be buried in Crowley.

Former LSU star DJ LeMahieu had one hit yesterday, but it was a big one for the New York Yankees. LeMahieu’s single to left field in the 10th inning snapped a three-three tie as the Yankees went on to beat Tampa Bay eight to four. New York has won nine out of its last ten.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman will compete in Monday’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Bregman will face the Dodgers Joc Pederson in the first round at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Bregman lost in the first round of last year’s Home Run Derby and he has 23 round trippers this season.

Funeral arrangements have been set for U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux. Visitation is Sunday from three to nine pm at the Cajundome Convention Center. The rosary will be prayed at 7 PM. There will also be a visitation period on Monday from 10 AM to 2 PM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. The funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of Fatima at 2 PM. The gates outside of Russo Park have become a memorial for the beloved Ragin Cajuns coach for 25 years as fans and members of the community have placed flowers and cards there.

Zion Williamson will be in a Pelicans uniform tonight as New Orleans summer league team takes on the New York Knicks in a game you can see on ESPN at 8:30 PM. Williamson will be facing his old college teammate as the Knicks first round pick R-J Barrett will suit up for New York. Three players who played on last year’s team, will join Williamson, Frank Jackson, Kenrich Williams and Christian Wood.

Former LSU star DJ LeMahieu had one hit yesterday, but it was a big one for the New York Yankees. LeMahieu’s single to left field in the 10th inning snapped a three-three tie as the Yankees went on to beat Tampa Bay eight to four. New York has won nine out of its last ten.

Former LSU Tiger Alex Bregman will compete in Monday’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. Bregman will face the Dodgers Joc Pederson in the first round at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Bregman lost in the first round of last year’s Home Run Derby and he has 23 round trippers this season to lead the first place Astros.

The Tigers have placed former LSU Tiger Jacoby Jones on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain. The 27-year-old Jones is hitting .244 with nine home runs and 23 RBIs this season.

And Sunday at 10 AM it will be the United States versus the Netherlands in the Women’s World Cup Final in France.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Pelicans have re-signed small forward Darius Miller to a two-year contract worth 14.25 million dollars. Which doubles what he made a season ago, but the second year of the contract is not guaranteed. Miller averaged eight points a game last season in 69 games. He gives New Orleans another shooter.

The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly offered former LSU star Ben Simmons a max contract extension, which will pay him 170-million dollars over five years. Simmons is set to make eight-million dollars this year.

LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade has filled out his coaching staff with the hiring of Kevin Nickelberry. Nickelberry was an assistant coach at Clemson when Wade was a student manager. Most recently, Nickelberry was the head coach at Howard.

Southeastern Louisiana has named David Kiefer as its new men’s basketball coach. Kiefer has been the program’s associate head coach for the past three seasons.

Louisiana Tech is moving forward with plans to demolish their tornado damaged soccer, baseball, and softball facilities. Athletics Director Tommy McClelland says discussions are underway where those teams will play next season. Soccer can play at a nearby rec park, while baseball and softball could be forced to play “home” games outside of Ruston.

And McClelland says they’ve begun plans to construct new facilities, and they’ve hired an architect familiar with stadium construction to build something fans will be proud of.
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About one-thousand people showed up for a prayer service and Rosary at Russo Park last night for longtime U-L Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux. The 57-year-old is in the I-C-U in a New Orleans hospital after undergoing multiple surgeries following a heart attack.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola was outstanding for the Phillies last night as he threw eight shutout innings and struck out eight as Philadelphia blanked Atlanta two to nothing.