The injury bug has really caught up with the 15th ranked LSU baseball team as they face the Ragin Cajuns tonight in Metairie. The Tigers will be without three starting position players tonight, center fielder Zach Watson, third baseman Chris Reid and second baseman Hal Hughes. Reid has a hamstring injury, while Watson has a groin injury that’s worse than the injury afflicting Reid. And Hughes has a injured hand that will keep him out at least a week. Also, starting pitcher Zack Hess may have to miss the upcoming series against Florida, because of a groin injury.

Tonight’s game against the Cajuns begins at 7 PM in the 16th annual Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. Louisiana is coming off its third Sun Belt Series victory and the Cajuns beat the Tigers 3 to 1 last year.

Also tonight, Louisiana Tech is at ULM. The Bulldogs have won 10 of their last 11 since losing to ULM in Ruston on March 26th.

In the NBA playoffs last night, former LSU Tiger Ben Simmons had a triple double as the 76ers cut down the Brooklyn Nets 145 to 123 to even their series at one game a piece. Simmons had 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

The Los Angeles Clippers came back from 31 points down to stun the Golden State Warriors 135 to 131. Former LSU Tiger Garret Temple had seven points. That series is evened up at one game a piece. The Warriors are concerned former Pelican DeMarcus Cousins tore his left quad muscle.

Seawhawks quarterback Russell Wilson is now the NFL’s highest paid player after he reportedly agreed to a four-year, 140 million dollar contract extension.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola gave up five runs in four innings as the Mets defeated the Phillies seven to six in 11 innings.

And Alabama Coach Nick Saban will visit the Grambling State campus on May 7th for an hour-long Q-and-A session as part of the celebration commemorating Eddie Robinson’s 100th birthday.

Sunday will go down as one of the greatest sports days of all time, with Tiger Woods winning his first Masters in 14 years. The day also marked the return of Will Wade as LSU’s basketball coach. The university released a statement Sunday night saying that Wade has been reinstated after he answered all questions and denied any wrongdoing in connection with recently reported allegations of irregularities in college basketball recruiting. Alleva also says the coach’s explanations and clarifications offered during the meeting, absent actual evidence of misconduct, satisfy his contractual obligation.

Will Wade released his own statement that said he’s humbled and grateful to be back at LSU.

Meanwhile, rough weekend in Columbia, Missouri for the LSU baseball team as they lost two of three to Mizzou. Zack Hess, Zach Watson and Chris Reid went down with injuries during the three-game set.
Louisiana Tech’s 10-game winning streak ended last night as Florida Atlantic defeated the Bulldogs 11-3. The loss drops Tech’s record to 24-11 overall, 10-5 in Conference USA. They are two games out of first place.
Tulane has a six-game winning streak as the Green Wave completed a sweep of South Florida with a 6-4 win on Sunday at Turchin Stadium. Frankie Neimann drove in three runs.
The Ragin Cajuns took two of three from South Alabama. Yesterday, U-L Lafayette hit three home runs for a four to one win. ULM was swept by Appalachian State in a rain shortened series.

Southeastern Louisiana took two of three from Northwestern State. The Lions are one game back in the loss column for first place in the Southland behind Sam Houston.

The LSU Tigers, who are in a three-way tie for first place in the SEC West, begins a three-game set against Missouri tonight. Mizzou has the lowest team ERA in the SEC at 2.77. Missouri is scheduled to start a left handed pitcher tonight and another one tomorrow. Junior centerfielder Zach Watson has been the most consistent right-handed bat in the line-up and knows left-hander hitters in LSU’s line-up can handle all of these southpaws…
Cut 18 (19) get to see more”
Zach Hess will start for the Tigers. He’s 2-and-2 with a 3.71 ERA.

LSU athletics director Joe Alleva and suspended basketball coach Will Wade were scheduled to meet. No word on whether progress was made towards reinstated Wade as the Tigers head basketball coach.

La Tech begins a huge series at Florida Atlantic tonight. The Owls are in first place in Conference USA with an 11-and-1 record. Tech is 8-and-4 and they’ve lost just one league game since they were swept by Southern Miss in the opening weekend of conference play. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs credits good starting pitching…
Cut 19 (17) “came out”
Tech goes into the series with an eight-game winning streak, while the Owls have won seven in a row.

ULM has won four in a row and they are at Appalachian State. After losing two midweek games, the Ragin Cajuns host South Alabama.

In the Southland…Northwestern State is at Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls host Incarnate Word and UNO is at McNeese.

Will Wade meets with LSU and NCAA officials today in the first official meeting between the groups since the basketball coach was suspended because of an FBI wire tap scandal. Tiger Rag assistant editor Tyler Nunez says the meeting could lead to Wade’s reinstatement….
Cut 7 (09) “…a week.”
And five players from the SEC championship team have declared for the NBA draft. But some of the players could return, if they decide their game is not ready for the NBA. And Darius Days announced today that he is coming back for his sophomore season.

Saints Coach Sean Payton has had enough of the rumor that he will one day become the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. During an interview on WWL Radio, Payton said he’s got Fleur-de-lis tattoos that can’t be erased. Payton was an assistant head coach of the Cowboys from 2003 to 2005. Dallas head coach Jason Garrett is entering his final season.

The 8th ranked LSU baseball team begins another SEC Series on the road tonight when they take on the Missouri Tigers at 6:30 PM. Missouri has the top ERA in the SEC, but the Tigers could get one of their top hitters back . Daniel Cabrera has missed the last seven games with a wrist injury, but coach Paul Mainieri says Cabrera should be ready to go tonight.

Louisiana Tech brings an eight-game winning streak to Boca Raton, Florida when they face Conference USA leader Florida Atlantic. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs is looking forward to see how his team battles the Owls…
cut 20 (20) “…quality opponent”
F-A-U is 11-and-1 in Conference, while Tech is 8-and-4. First pitch tonight is at 5:30 and it’s the first time the two teams will play each other since 2014.

Suspended basketball coach Will Wade will meet with LSU today for the first time since the transcript of an FBI wirtetap was published by Yahoo Sports that reportedly had Wade discussing a strong offer with a recruiting middleman. At first Wade declined to talk with LSU, because he was subpoenaed to testify in an upcoming college basketball corruption trial. But Wade might not have to testify now. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor Tyler Nunez says that’s good news for Wade…
cut 8 (09) “….happen”
Meanwhile, there are now five players from last season’s SEC Championship team that have declared from the NBA draft. Freshman guard Javonte Smart and freshman forward Emmit Williams made their intentions known. But rules allow these players to return to school, even if they hire an agent.

After scoring just two runs in a loss to Southern on Tuesday, the 8th ranked LSU baseball team begins a weekend series with Missouri tonight. Mizzou has the top ERA in the SEC. Right fielder Antoine Duplantis says they have swung the bats well in SEC play and he hopes that continues in the Show Me State…
cut 17 (17) “..this weekend”

The Pelicans have cleaned out their locker rooms and now an offseason of uncertainty begins. The franchise needs to hire a new general manager, their could be a new head coach and several players might not return. Julius Randle has a player option and can become an unrestricted free agent in July and he’s not sure what the future holds…
cut 30 (14) “…happen”
We know that Anthony Davis will not return. The disgruntled superstar asked for a trade during the season and the Pelicans are expected to accommodate his request during the offseason. In his end of season press conference, Davis said he has no regrets.

LSU football has received a verbal pledge from four-star cornerback Lorando Johnson from Lancaster High School in Texas. 24-7 sports reports Johnson is rated as the nation’s 11th best corner in the country.

ULM ended Northwestern State’s six-game winning streak with an 8-4 four victory over the Demons. The Warhawks hit three home runs, two of them by Trent Tingelstad and one by Chad Bell.

McNeese doubled up the Ragin Cajuns six to three. The Cowboys scored five runs in the third inning. Duston Duhon hit a solo dinger and Carson Maxwell mashed a two-run home run as the Cajuns fall to 17-and-19. Mcneese is 17-and-16.

Southern followed up its upset win over LSU on Tuesday night with a five to four win over UNO in 10 innings. Hampton Hudson’s walk-off RBI single snapped a nine game losing streak to the Privateers.

LSU leaves today as they’ll begin a three game series in Missouri on Friday night.

Today is the first round of the Masters. Former University High in Baton Rouge golfer Patrick Reed is the defending champion.

And ULM will introduce today former McNeese head coach Brooks Donald-Williams as the new head coach of the Warhawks women’s basketball team. Donald-Williams spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Alabama.

Southern University Pitcher Eli Finney entered last night’s game against LSU with an ERA close to seven, but he pitched the game of his life against the eighth ranked Tigers as the Jaguars upset the Bayou Bengals seven to two. Finney allowed one hit, one run and struck out seven over seven innings. Landon Marceaux had a rough start for LSU as he gave up five runs and couldn’t get past the second inning.

Louisiana Tech’s winning streak is up to eight games after an 11 to 3 victory over UL-Lafayette last night. The Bulldogs head to Florida this weekend to face F-A-U, while the Cajuns will host McNeese tonight. Also tonight, Northwestern State is at ULM. The Demons have won six in a row, while the Warhawks have won seven of their last nine.

Four-star cornerback Lorando Johnson from Texas has committed to LSU’s 2020 recruiting class. 24-7 sports ranks Johnson as the 11th best cornerback prospect in the country. LSU also has a commitment from the nation’s number one, California’s Elias Ricks. The Tigers have 11 verbal pledges for the 2020 class that’s ranked as the third best in the nation.

A huge offseason begins now for the Pelicans as the team wrapped up the regular season last night with a 112 to 103 loss to Golden State. New Orleans will look to trade disgruntled superstar Anthony Davis, but before that happens they need to hire a general manager. Locked on Pelicans podcast host Jake Madison says that person will decide the new direction for the team…
cut 16 (13) “…future”
NOLA-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan reports Pels interim general manager Danny Ferry, former Cavs G-M David Griffin and Rockets Vice President of Operations Gerrson Rosas have emerged as favorites to become the next general manager.

Louisiana Tech’s DaQuan Bracey has declared for the NBA draft. Bracey led the Bulldogs in scoring and assists last season. The Baltimore native says he will not sign an agent and says he may return to Tech for his senior season if he decides his game is not ready for the NBA.

Southern pitcher Eli Finney says he’ll never forget what he did last night. Finney fanned seven LSU hitters over seven innings as the Jaguars upset the eighth ranked Tigers seven to two at Lee-Hines Field. LSU only had two hits on the night, while the Jaguars scored five runs off Tigers starting pitcher Landon Marceaux. LSU will begin a series at Mizzou on Friday.

Louisiana Tech won its eighth straight last night as the Bulldogs defeated the Ragin Cajuns 11 to 3. UL Lafayette hosts McNeese State tonight, while Northwestern State is at ULM. The Demons have won six in a row.

Louisiana Tech’s DaQuan Bracey has declared for the NBA draft. Bracey led the Bulldogs in scoring and assists last season. The Baltimore native says he will not sign an agent and says he may return to Tech for his senior season if he decides his game is not ready for the NBA.

The Anthony Davis era in New Orleans comes to an end without much fanfare as A-D didn’t pay last night in the Pelicans 112 to 103 regular season finale loss to Golden State. After reaching the Western Conference semi-finals last year, New Orleans finished this year with a 33-49 record. The Pels are expected to trade Davis for young prospects and draft picks in the offseason, but what about two guys added to the roster before this season. Jake Madison, the Publisher of the Locked on Pelicans Podcast, says the Pelicans have a lot of decisions to make…
cut 18 (17) “….streak”

And ULM will introduce former McNees head coach Brooks Donald-Williams as the new head coach of the Warhawks women’s basketball team.

For the first time since 2005, the Southern Jaguars defeated the LSU Tigers in baseball. The Jags scored five runs in the first two innings off Tigers starting pitcher Landon Marceaux, while Southern starting pitcher Eli Finney gave up one run over seven innings for the win. The Tigers had just two hits on the night.

Elsewhere, Louisiana Tech extended its winning streak to eight games with an 11-3 win over the Cajuns in Lafayette. Senior third baseman Tanner Huddleston reached base safely five teams and had two RBIs.

Tulane outscored Southeastern Louisiana 15 to 14. The Green Wave hit five home runs and senior Trevor Jensen had four hits, drove in a run and scored twice.

Stephen F Austin knocked off Grambling six to two, and Delgado Coach Joe Scheuermann won hits 1,000th game as the Dolphins swept a doubleheader from Coastal Alabama.

Tonight, the Ragin Cajuns are back in action as they host McNeese and Northwestern State is at ULM.

The Anthony Davis era likely came to a close last night as New Orleans fell to Golden State 112 to 103 in the regular season finale for the Pelicans. Davis wore a shirt during the game that said “That’s All Folks” as it’s expected the team will trade the disgruntled super star.

Many are expecting an offseason trade with the Celtics or Lakers, but the host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says there are a couple of other possiblities as well…
cut 17 (20) “….this year”
The Pels still have to hire a general manager, interim G-M Danny Ferry reportedly interviewed for the job yesterday.

The Saints will open the preseason hosting the Vikings and then they’ll visit the Chargers and Jets and conclude the exhibition schedule with a home game against the Dolphins.

In a sign a new football season is not far off, the Saints announced their preseason schedule. New Orleans will host Minnesota and then the Black and Gold will head on the road, visiting the Los Angeles Chargers and the New York Jets in Weeks two and three. The Saints will host Miami in the preseason finale. The regular season schedule is expected to be released later this month.

A disappointing Pelicans season comes to a close tonight when New Orleans hosts the NBA champion Golden State Warriors for their only visit to the Big Easy. The Warriors have locked up the number one seed in the Western Conference playoffs, so the Warrior starters might not play much tonight. And tonight’s game will mark the final time you’ll likely see Anthony Davis on the Pelicans bench as the team will look to trade him for young talent and draft picks in the offseason.

The search for a new Pelicans General Manager is ongoing, ESPN reports G-M Danny Ferry met with franchise officials today.

LSU shortstop Josh Smith has been named SEC Baseball Player of the Week after hitting three home runs in five games. Smith who was scuffling over a week ago, credits his work with hitting coach Sean Ochinko
Cut 16 (15) “…bit longer.”
Landon Marceaux will start on the mound for the Tigers against Southern University. The freshman from Destrehan hasn’t pitched in a game since March 20th because of arm soreness. But starting left fielder Daniel Cabrera will miss his seventh straight start because of a hand-slash-wrist injury. Coach Paul Mainieri is optimistic Cabrera will return for this weekend’s series at Missouri.

In Lafayette tonight, the Ragin Cajuns will welcome La Tech to Russo Park. The Bulldogs have won seven straight. First pitch is at 6:30.

Also tonight, Southeastern Louisiana hosts Tulane and Grambling travels to Stephen F Austin.