16:45 LRN Sportscast April 16

Tonight LSU and U-L Lafayette continue their baseball rivalry when the two teams meet at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie for the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. The Cajuns are 19-and-20, but are coming off a series victory over South Alabama. LSU is coming off a series loss to Missouri. Three position players went down with injuries during the series, Zach Watson, Chris Reid and Hal Hughes. They are not expected to play tonight. First pitch is at 7.

Louisiana Tech looks to start a new winning streak tonight when they visit ULM. The Bulldogs 10-game winning streak was snapped on Sunday at F-A-U. It was there first loss since losing to ULM 9-4 on March 26th. That was ULM’s first win over the Bulldogs in 12 years.

Also tonight, Southeastern Louisiana is at McNeese in a nonconference. Grambling hosts Mississippi Vallen State, Alcorn State is at Southern and Tulane travels to UNO.

The NFL will release its regular season schedule for 2019 tomorrow night at 7 Pm. We already know who the Black and Gold will play next season, we just don’t know the dates and times. The Saints are set to play a home and home series against their NFC South Rivals and they’ll also host the Cardinals, 49ers, Texans, Colts and Cowboys. New Orleans will travel to Chicago, Tennessee, Seattle, Jacksonville and Los Angeles in a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game.

Two Louisiana Tech football games have been moved to Friday. Tech’s Conference USA home opener against F-I-U will now take place on Friday September 20th and the Bulldogs visit to Marshall will be played on November 15th instead.

The Pelicans will introduce their new executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin tomorrow during a press conference set for 12:45.

And Former Pelicans Center DeMarcus Cousins could miss the rest of the season after an M-R-I has revealed he tore his left quad in the Warriors loss to the Clippers last season.

11:40 LRN Sportscast April 16

The 16th annual Wally Pontiff Junior Foundation Classic is tonight between the 15th ranked Tigers and the Cajuns. Center fielder Zach Watson, second baseman Hal Hughes and third baseman Chris Reid are expected to miss the game because of injuries. So LSU might only have 11 position players available. The Cajuns are 19-and-20 on the year, but they are coming off a series victory over South Alabama. First pitch in Metairie is at 7.

Louisiana Tech saw its 10-game winning streak end on Sunday with a loss to Florida Atlantic. The Bulldogs, who are ranked 21st in the nation according to Collegiate Baseball, will try to start another streak tonight against ULM. The Warhawks beat Tech 9-4 in Ruston earlier this year.

Also tonight…Southeastern visits McNeese for a nonconference game. Tulane travels to UNO, and Grambling hosts Mississippi Valley.

Tomorrow night, the NFL will release its regular season schedule for 2019.

6:45 LRN Sportscast April 16

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.

6:45 LRN Sportscast April 15

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.

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 12

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.

11:40 LRN Sportscast April 12

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.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

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”

6:45 LRN Sportscast April 11

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.

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 10

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.

11:40 LRN Sportcast April 10

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.