The ninth ranked Tigers baseball team is riding high after their bats came alive in a series win over Mississippi State a few days ago, and they hope to keep that momentum going in tonight’s game against Grambling State. LSU scored double digit runs on Friday and Saturday and Head coach Paul Mainieri says the offensive display is a big ego boost to the team.
Cut 16 (15) “…the time.”
Chris Reid was named SEC Co-Player of the Week. Reid had six hits in the final two games of the Mississippi State series. Daniel Cabrera will not be in the line-up tonight, because of an ailing wrist, which means freshman Giovanni DiGiacomo will get the start in left field tonight and tomorrow against South Alabama. Tonight’s game against Grambling begins at 6:30.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop has filed a bill that would rename I-10 as Who Dat Nation Highway….
cut 13 (10) “…in the world”
Senate Bill 134 directs the state department of transportation to erect signage at each parish line designating the new name, provided local or private funds are available.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports Louisiana Tech defensive end and possible second round pick Jaylon Ferguson had a workout with the Saints and he’ll also visit the Buccaneers, Bengals, Raiders and Bills.

Bossier’s Jacoby Decker has been named the most outstanding boys basketball player in Class Four-A by the Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association. Decker averaged nearly 20 points a game as he led the Bearcats to the Class Four-A Championship. Bossier lost to Breaux Bridge and coach Chad Pourciau was named coach of the year.

The ninth ranked LSU baseball team hosts Grambling tonight. The Tigers scored 21 runs in their last two games after going through a four-game slump. Coach Paul Mainieri says in every season, there are ups and downs…
cut 17 (18) “….direction”
Senior third baseman Chris Reid was named SEC Baseball Co-Player of the Week. Reid was six for eight with a double and six RBIs and four runs scored. He also walked three times and was hit by a pitch. First pitch tonight is at 6:30.

Two teams playing well meet in Thibodaux tonight. Nicholls is coming off a road sweep at Lamar and the Colonels host the Southern Jaguars, who are in first place in the SWAC Western Division after winning three straight weekend series.

Northwestern State begins a two-game midweek series against Mississippi Valley State in Natchitoches. Southeastern Louisiana is at the Ragin Cajuns and then tomorrow UL-Lafayette heads to Hammond to face the Lions. Also, Tulane is at UNO.

The Saints announced that their voluntary offseason workout program will begin on April 22nd. The team’s mandatory minicamp will be held June 11th to the 13th.

What happens now with the LSU basketball program now that the season is over? Head Coach Will Wade could be dismissed in the wake of the FBI wiretap scandal that caught Wade in an alleged pay to play scheme. Tiger Rag Associate Editor Tyler Nunez says Athletic Director Joe Alleva likely has his eyes on a new head coach…
Cut 10 (12) “…will wade.”
Interim head coach Tony Benford said after Friday’s loss to Michigan State that he plans to meet with Alleva to discuss the next steps for the program.

LSU baseball snapped a four-game losing streak on Friday and ended up winning a series over previously second ranked Mississippi State. The Tigers moved up a few spots in the polls. They are ranked ninth by Collegiate baseball and 13th by D-1 baseball. LSU hosts Grambling tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech completed a sweep of UAB as they defeated the Blazers five to two for their second consecutive league series win. Parker Bates had three hits and drove in four runs, while senior Logan Bailey was the winning pitcher.

Nicholls State also had the brooms out yesterday as the Colonels completed a three-game sweep of Lamar. Nicholls scored four runs in the eighth inning yesterday for a six to five come from behind win over the Cardinals.

After losing their first seven Sun Belt games, ULM has won two in a row. The Warhawks defeated Georgia Southern eight to five yesterday. ULM scored four runs in the eighth inning to snap a four-four tie. Trent Tingelstad scored three runs.

And the Ragin Cajuns defeated Troy five to four. Hayden Cantrelle drove home the winning run with an RBI double in the ninth. Handsome Monica also hit a two run home run.

The Pelicans lost last night, falling to the Lakers 130-to-102.

After an SEC title and a march into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the future of the LSU basketball program is very uncertain. Many believe suspended coach Will Wade has coached his last game at LSU because of the FBI wire tap scandal. Wade has been subpoenaed to testify in a college basketball corruption trial that begins April 22nd. LSU could wait for that trial to end to see if they can keep Wade around, but but Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva will likely look to move on…
cut 11 (12) “lawsuit.”
Some of LSU’s top players will likely head to the NBA, because they are talented enough to do so and also NCAA sanctions could be coming.

We’ll see if LSU baseball is back in the Top 10 of the polls after taking two of three from Mississippi State in Starkville. Antoine Duplantis hit two home runs on Saturday as the Tigers took the series with an 11-to-2 win over the Bulldogs. LSU is 6-3 in the SEC, a half game back of Texsas A-and-M for first place in the West.

Louisiana Tech swept UAB this past weekend. The Bulldogs are now 5-4 in Conference USA play after starting 0-3. Logan Bailey was the winning pitcher and Parker Bates drove in four runs.

Nicholls is just a game back of Sam Houston in the Southland Standings after the Colonels swept Lamar in Beaumont, Texas. Nicholls scored five runs in the eighth inning to improve to 8-and-4 in league play. Champ Davison led the way on offense, by driving in two runs.

Southeastern Louisiana’s eight game winning streak ended with a four to two loss to Stephen F Austin. The Lions are 6-3 in the Southland.

ULM has won two in a row after beating Georgia Southern and the Cajuns defeated Troy four to three yesterday.

Louisiana Radio Network Sports, I’m Brooke Thorington…

A memorable LSU basketball season ended last night as Michigan State hit 13 three pointers in an 80-63 victory over the Tigers. Tremont (Tray-mont) Waters had 23 points, but Skylar Mays had just seven points and Javonte Smart was scoreless. Now we wait to see what happens with Will Wade as a result of the FBI wiretap scandal.

Elsewhere… Auburn upset top seeded North Carolina 97-80, while Kentucky got past Houston 62-58. So it will be an all SEC regional final in the Midwest on Sunday.

LSU’s bats busted out of its hitting slump with a solid 10-5 win over second ranked Mississippi State. Chris Reid and C-J Willis each drove in three runs and Cole Henry struck out nine over five innings for his second win of the season. The Tigers can win the series on Saturday at 1 PM when the two teams wrap up their series.

Louisiana Radio Network Sports
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Matt Miller improved to 3-and-0 on the season as Louisiana Tech held on for a three to two win over U-A-B. Braxton Smith earned his fourth save.

In nearby Monroe, Georgia Southern outscored U-L-M nine to eight. The Warhawks had five errors and they fall to 0-and-7 in the Sun Belt. The Ragin Cajuns scored three runs in the first inning, but Troy came back to beat U-L Lafayette five to four.

In the Southland, Southeastern Louisiana got a big win over Stephen F Austin as the Lions won five to one. S-L-U has won seven in a row. McNeese scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat the Bearcats four to three. Brett Whelton’s two run single in the ninth pushed the Pokes past Sam Houston.

Nicholls doubled up Lamar four to two thanks to a big three-run eighth inning. Houston Baptist clobbered Northwestern State 10-to-2. Prairie View pounded Southern 10-6 and Abilene Christian clipped Grambling seven to four.

The Pelicans host Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow.

LSU and Michigan State tip off tonight just after 6 PM as the two teams battle for a spot in the Elite eight. The Spartans have won 12 of their last 14 and they are led by point guard Cassius Winston. Tonight’s premiere match-up is Winston against LSU point guard Tremont Waters.

LSU will match up against Mississippi State on the baseball diamond tonight. The Bulldogs won game one of the series last night, holding on for six to five win. Zack Hess suffered the loss as he gave up three home runs. Daniel Cabrera hit a two-run blast for LSU. Cole Henry starts on the hill for the Tigers. First pitch is at 6 PM. The final game of the series has been moved up to 1 PM tomorrow, because of the chance of thunderstorms in Starkville on Saturday.

In other college baseball action tonight. the Cajuns are at Troy, ULM hosts Georgia Southern. McNeese visits Sam Houston State, Southeastern is at Stephen F Austin and Louisiana Tech hosts UAB. First pitch is at 6 PM.

A bill has been filed for the regular session that will begin in a little over a week that calls for fines, community service and possibly even a short time in jail for any person that harasses an official at a school or recreation athletic contest. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says refs and umps, especially those who are in college trying to make some extra money, should not be subject to relentless verbal abuse…
cut 14 (11) “…this conversation”
Metairie Senator Danny Martiny who tried to legalize sports betting in last year’s regular session has filed a similiar bill this year. It has the support of the governor and debate will begin after the session gavels in on April 9th.

The Pelicans got a rare win last night as New Orleans defeated Sacramento 121-118. Only the second win the team’s last 11 contests. Julius Randle led the way with 34 points. There’s just five games left in the regular season. New Orleans will host the dysfunctional Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at 5 PM.

The LSU men’s basketball team will attempt to keep its run through the NCAA Tournament going tonight when they face Michigan State. It’s been an emotional year for the Tigers losing their head coach to suspension and of course at the beginning of the season, the fatal shooting of Wayde Sims, who was gunned down just outside of the Southern campus the night before the start of the first practice. Interim head coach Tony Benford says the team has carried Sims memory through the tournament….
cut 8 (12) “….Wayde Sims”
Benford says it will be a game of wills. He says executing in the half court will be a key, can’t turn it over and they need to do a good job on the offensive glass, like they’ve done all season long. Tip off is at 6:09. The winner of this game, will face the winner of the tonight’s game between Duke and Virginia Tech on Sunday.

LSU baseball will look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight when they face second ranked Mississippi State. The Bulldogs held on for a six to five win last night to take game one of the series. Freshman Cole Henry gets the start on the hill. He was brillant last week, but was a tough luck loser in a two to nothing loss. First pitch tonight is just after 6 PM.

La Tech and Southern are the only two college baseball teams from Louisiana playing at home this weekend. The Bulldogs who are coming off a series victory at Middle Tennessee, will host UAB. Matt Miller will start on the mound for Tech tonight as he threw eight innings last week and allowed one run. First pitch is at 6 PM tonight.

The Jaguars lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division standings as they are 8-1. Southern faces Prairie View tonight.

LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton is back on the football field for the Tigers. He’s been out almost four months. after undergoing ankle surgery. LSU’s spring game is a week from Saturday.

And La Tech will host Southeastern in football in 2021.

The LSU basketball team will try to keep its run through the NCAA Tournament going tonight when they face Michigan State in an East Regional semifinal matchup. Many will say the Spartans have the coaching advantage with Tom Izzo, but Tigers interim head coach Tony Benford says he’s ready for the moment….
cut 9 (11) “…in that”
The big matchup to watch tonight is the battle of point guards, Tremont Waters for LSU and Cassius Winston for Michigan State. Winston is averaging almost 19 points and eight assists a game and he’s shooting over 40-percent from three-point range. Tip-off is just after 6 PM tonight.

ULM’s season ended last night as the Warhawks lost to Johnny Jones and the Texas Southern Tigers 108-102 in triple overtime. Michael Ertel had 24 points for ULM, who finished with a 19-and-16 record.

The 17th ranked LSU baseball team lost its fourth straight last night falling to Mississippi State six to five. The Tigers struck out 17 times and Zack Hess got knocked around as he gave up three home runs. LSU falls to 4-3 in the SEC and will look to even up the series tonight at 6 PM, with Cole Henry on the mound.

In other action, McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana begin a tough series on the road. The Cowboys are at Sam Houston State, while the Lions visit Stephen F Austin. Northwestern State is at Houston Baptist, while Nicholls is in Beaumont to take on Lamar.

ULM looks for its first Sun Belt win as the Warhawks visit Georgia Southern, the Ragin Cajuns are at Troy, while Louisiana Tech hosts UAB.

In the NBA, the Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-118 last night as Julius Randle had 34 points and 11 rebounds and Christian Wood added 25 points.

LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton is back on the football field for the Tigers. He’s been out almost four months. after undergoing ankle surgery. LSU’s spring game is a week from Saturday.

The 12th ranked LSU baseball team begins another difficult SEC road series tonight when they meet 2nd ranked Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are 23-3 overall and they’ve scored 53 runs in their last three games. They are led by senior outfielder Jake Mangum, who is hitting over four-hundred. Coach Paul Mainieri says Mangum is one of the best to ever play SEC baseball…
cut 17 (22) “starting pitchers”
Junior left-hander Ethan Small will start for the Bulldogs tonight and the Tigers are having difficulty hitting southpaws as of late.

Last night, Northwestern State doubled up Southern six to three, while ULM crushed Jackson State 10-1 for its second straight win.

The LSU men’s basketball team arrived in Washington D-C last night as the program is getting ready to make its 10th Sweet 16 appearance. The Tigers will meet Michigan State on Fiday in the East Regional semi-finals. The winner advances to play the winner of Duke-Virignia Tech. A good contingent of Tiger fans are expected to be in the Capital One Arena for the game. Secretary for the LSU DC Alumni chapter, Ginger Gibson says she’s looking forward to see more purple and gold in the nation’s capital…
cut 12 (12) “…be Virginia Tech”
Tip time on Friday is at 6:09 PM.

LSU and Florida have become bigger rivals on the football lately, as the scheudling of a football in 2016 because of a hurricane got heated between the two athletic departments. The Gators will return to Tiger Stadium in 2019 and LSU has announced that the homecoming game for next season. That would be October 12th.

Saints Owner Gayle Benson and head coach Sean Payton have convinced NFL owners to give coaches the opportunity to challenge pass interference and non-pass interference calls. Heading into the NFL owners meetings, there was resistance in expanding replay use for penalties, but Payton says after some convincing, there was majority support for pass interference calls
Cut 8 (06) “…got it right”
The vote was 31-1 in favor of the rule change. So starting next season, Coaches can now challenge questionable pass interference plays until the last two minutes and then it’s subject to a booth review.

For the second time in three games, LSU baseball was shutout. The Tigers fell to McNeese two to nothing last night as the Cowboys scored their two runs on wild pitches. The Tigers managed just four hits and begin a three-game series at Mississippi State on Thursday.

ULM snapped a 10-game losing streak to La Tech with a 9-4 win over the Bulldogs. Frank Colton’s walk off homer gave the Cajuns a seven-six victory over Tulane.

LSU basketball flies out today for Washington D-C where they’ll face Michigan State on Friday night in the Sweet 16. If the Tigers can keep winning in the NCAA Tournament, the national attention will only grow, since they are playing without suspended head coach Will Wade. But Interim Head Coach Tony Benford is not concerned about the spotlight getting brigther…
cut 17 (17) “every day”
LSU is a six point underdog against the Spartans

In other SEC basketball news….Arkansas has fired head coach Mike Anderson after eight years in Fayetteville. Anderson led the Hogs to the NCAA Tournament three times, but this past season they went 18-and-16.

The Pelicans lost to Atlanta Hawks 130-120. Earlier in the day, New Orleans announced that Jrue Holiday will miss the rest of the season after he had surgery to repair a damaged ab muscle.