A struggling LSU baseball team faces one of the top pitchers in college baseball tonight when the Tigers begin a series against SEC West foe Mississippi State. The Bayou Bengals have scored just nine runs in the last four games and Coach Paul Mainieri says the challenge is to break out of their hitting slump by facing left-hander Konnor Pilkington…

Cut 16 (23) “…draft choice”

First pitch is at 7 PM.

Louisiana Tech, who is in first place in Conference USA, begins a three-game series against F-I-U tonight. The Bulldogs are 15-3 in March and their team ERA is the second best in the nation. First pitch is at 6 PM.

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Tight end Benjamin Watson is back with the Saints as he’s agreed to a one-year contract with the Black and Gold. Watson last played for the Saints, when he caught 74 passes. Watson spent the last two years with the Baltimore Ravens.

In other NFL news, if a team wants to trade for former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior, it will reportedly cost that team at least two first round draft picks to make a deal with the New York Giants. Beckham will reportedly not take the field this year without a new contract.

The Pelicans are in Cleveland tonight to face LeBron James and the Cavaliers. King James had 41 points last night in a win over Charlotte. New Orleans is looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The Pels are tied for fifth place in the West heading into tonight’s matchup on ESPN.

Today is opening day in Major League Baseball. Former LSU star Aaron Nola gets the opening day start for the Phlliies against the Atlanta Braves. Nola was 12-and-11 last season with a 3-point-five-four E-R-A. First pitch is at 3:10.

Ben Watson is back with the New Orleans Saints as he’s signed a one-year contract with the Black and Gold. The 37-year-old is coming off a good season with the Baltimore Ravens, where he caught 61 passes for 522 yards and four touchdowns. Watson played for the Saints from 2013-15. In 2015, he caught 74 passes, but tore his achilles tendon the next season.

Coach Sean Payton said at the NFL owners meetings that there biggest needs are an edge rusher, tight end and wide receiver. Could New Orleans be in the market for a back-up quarterback? Payton says he’s impressed with former Heisman winner and Louisville standout Lamar Jackson….
cut 20 (17) “…can lead”

The Pelicans will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they visit Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow night. New Orleans lost to Portland 107 to 103 last night, despite 36 points from Anthony Davis. The Pels are 43-32 eason and tied for 5th place in the Western Conference with San Antonio. The Thunder are one game ahead of New Orleans.

The LHSAA has issued a one-time waiver that will allow Lafayette High pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis to compete in the elite division of the Texas Relays on Saturday. There was concern the world junior record-holder would no longer be able to compete in high school events, if he partcipated in this weekend’s event in Texas.

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri says he takes responsibility for how his team is playing. The Tigers lost for a second time this season to the Ragin Cajuns when UL Lafayette upended LSU 3-1 last night in Metairie. LSU also lost a series last weekend to Vanderbilt. Tomorrow they host Mississippi State.

LSU had 10 hits but scored just one run in a three to one defeat to UL Lafayette in the Wally Pontiff Classic in Metairie last night. For the first time since 2002, the Cajuns have swept the season series against the Tigers. The winning pitcher was Hogan Harris, who started for the first time in a month and pitched four innings and did not allow an earned run.

Elsewhere, ULM outscored Jackson State 10-7. Louisiana Tech won its 20th game of the season last night as the Bulldogs scored six runs in the 9th inning to defeat McNeese nine to two. Nicholls beat Mississippi State seven to four in Thibodaux. It’s the first time in program history the Colonels defeated State. Seniors Lee Clark and Kyle Knauth each drove in two runs.

Northwestern State upended Lamar seven to two, Grambling outscored Texas College 11-3. And Southeastern Louisiana defeated Tulane nine to three. It’s S-L-U’s sixth straight win over the Wave.

The Pelicans couldn’t hold on to an 11-point third quarter lead last night and lost to Portland 107-103. Anthony Davis had 36 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort. The difference in this game was the 27 second chance points by the Trail Blazers. The Pels are in Cleveland on Friday.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the team is still looking to add an edge rusher, wide receiver and tight end in either free agency or the draft. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they did well in last year’s draft, but they don’t have as many high picks as they did in 2017….
cut 19 (17) “….the same”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, veteran tight end Ben Watson is returning to the Saints. The 37-year-old led the Ravens with 61 catches last season.

The Ragin Cajuns baseball team has had a tough season, with a losing record, but they own two victories in a season over the 19^th ranked LSU Tigers since 2002. UL-Lafayette completed the season series sweep of the Tigers with a 3-1 win last night at the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. The difference was a two-run first inning for the Cajuns and LSU left 11 runners on base, including the tying run on second inning in the 9^th inning.

In other baseball action, Louisiana Tech thumped McNeese 9-2. The Bulldogs scored six runs in the 9^th inning. Dalton Skelton and Mason Robinson each had two run triples.

Nicholls knocked off Mississippi State seven to four. Lee Clark hit his first home run of the season. Southeastern Louisiana hammered Tulane nine to three for its sixth straight win over the Green Wave. And Northwestern State defeated Lamar 7-2. The Demons started fast with four runs in the first inning.

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Anthony Davis had 36 points and 14 rebounds, but Portland’s Damian Lillard had 41 points as the Blazers defeated the Pelicans 107-103. Lillard was fantastic in the 4^th quarter as he scored 20 points in the final 12 minutes to help Portland rally back from an 11-point deficit. New Orleans will look to avoid a third straight loss when they visit the Cavaliers and LeBron James on Friday night.

The Saints were interested in Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, but he ended up signing with the Rams. New Orleans General Manager Mickey Loomis says the Saints didn’t lowball the defensive wrecking ball, but the Rams valued him differently….

Cut 18 (16) “….at that”

Coach Sean Payton says looking ahead to the draft, edge rusher is a must.

21st ranked LSU and UL Lafayette meet tonight at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie for the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. Freshman right-hander AJ Labas will start for the Tigers, he’s 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA, while the Cajuns counter with left-hander Hogan Harris, who hasn’t pitched since the opening weekend because of an oblique injury in the season opener.

LSU will be without its starting second baseman and leading hitter for the next three to five weeks. Brandt Broussard has a broken thumb. Austin Bain could be your starter at second base for the time being, with Daniel Cabrera playing at first base. Also, shortstop Josh Smith has suffered a minor setback as he tries to come back from a back injury.

In other action, Southeastern Louisiana seeks its sixth straight win over Tulane when the two schools meet in Hammond. Nicholls State is hosting Mississippi State. The Colonels are 8-15 on the year. And Louisiana Tech visits McNeese. The Bulldogs have won 14 of their last 17. McNeese is 19-and-7 on the year.

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson spoke Monday for the first time since her husband’s death at the NFL Owners meeting in Orlando, Florida. There have been questions on whether or not there will be major changes to the teams. Benson says after visiting the office on a daily basis for the last eight years, she knows the organizations are running like a well oiled machine…
Cut 14 (10) “it is.”
Gayle Benson added that it’s upsetting to read or hear reports she may sell or move the teams. Benson made the comments at the NFL owners meetings. She’s been attending them since she married Tom Benson in 2004.

The Pelicans host Portland tonight at the Smoothie King Center. Nikoa Mirotic and Rajon Rondo are questionable with injuries. Mirotic has a hip flexor, while Rondo has a wrist sprain. Blazers All-Star guard Damian Lillard could also miss the game, because his girlfriend could go into labor.

New Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson says she’s committed to continuing her husband’s legacy going and that means keeping the professional franchises in New Orleans…

Cut 15 (10) “…big family”

Gayle Benson added that it’s upsetting to read or hear reports she may sell or move the teams. Benson made the comments at the NFL owners meetings. She’s been attending them since she married Tom Benson in 2004.

The Pelicans are back home tonight to host the Portland Trail Blazers. New Orleans is fighting for home court in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Pels are currently tied for 5^th place with San Antonio a half-a-game back of Oklahoma City who is in 4^th place. San Antonio is at Washington tonight. The Thunder are off. And tip-off in the Smoothie King Center is at 7 PM.

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The injury bug has bitten another LSU baseball player. Second baseman Brandt Broussard will miss the next three to five weeks with a broken thumb. He sustained the injury during an at-bat in the series in Vanderbilt. Broussard was hit by a pitch, but the ump ruled it was a foul ball.

The Tigers already without starting shortstop Josh Smith, who is trying to work his way back from a back injury. But Coach Paul Mainieri says Smith suffered a little bit of set back last week. Hal Hughes will continue to man shortstop, but Austin Bain or Jake Slaughter are options at second base.

Tonight, LSU will play the Ragin Cajuns in the annual Wally Pontiff Junior Classic at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie. Left-hander Hogan Harris will start for UL Lafayette. He hasn’t pitched since sustaining an oblique injury in the season opener against Texas.

In other action tonight, Nicholls hosts Mississippi State as the Colonels are coming off a series victory over McNeese. Louisiana Tech is at McNeese. The Bulldogs have won 14 of their last 17. And ULM hosts UNO, while Tulane faces Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond. Northwestern State is at Lamar.

New Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson spoke for the first time today since her husband’s death. Benson says she doesn’t plan on changing much and is ready for the challenge…
cut 30 (11) “…his legacy”
And Gayle Benson says she would never sell the teams and there are no plans to re-locate them.

A former Saints cheerleader has filed a discrimination complaint because she believes the team’s policies discriminate against the cheerleaders employed by the team. Bailey Davis’ complaint states the team has a set of rules for cheerleaders, but the same rules don’t apply for the football players. Davis was reportedly fired for posting a photo of herself on her private instagram account in Saints gear and the team says that violates their rules.

Could former LSU standout Odell Beckham get traded out of New York. The NFL Network reports the Giants wide receiver will not set foot on the football field this year, unless he receives a contract extension. He’s set to enter the final year of his rookie contract. Beckham has indicated he would like to be the highest paid player in the NFL.

The NFL owners have voted to simplify the definition of a catch. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic is covering the meetings in Orlando and he says there’s now three components officials will look at to determine a catch. Control, two feet in bounds and a football move, like when the player reaches with the ball or makes a third step. No more surviving the ground for a catch to take place.

Coming up at the owners meeting today, Saints Owner Gayle Benson will speak publicly for the first time, since her husband’s death.

A former Saintsation has filed a lawsuit against the Saints claiming discrimination, because players are not held accountable to the same rules for cheerleaders. For instance, cheerleaders must leave a restaurant if a Saints player walks in as part of the team’s anti-fraternization policy.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport says former LSU standout and Giants receiver Odell Beckham Junior will not set foot on a football field without a new deal. Beckham has indictated he would like to be the highest paid player in the NFL.

Former LSU standout and major league baseball player Albert Belle has been charged in Arizona on two counts of indecent exposure and two counts of D-U-I. According to police records, Belle was arrested during a Diamondbacks spring training game in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The LSU baseball team lost its weekend series to Vanderbilt. The Tigers won the middle game of the three game set by the score of 6-2. The game was halted in the 8th inning on Saturday and completed on Sunday morning. That’s why the series finale was just seven innings and the Tigers lost 1-0, despite a brilliant pitching performance from Ma’khail Hillard who threw six standout innings. The only run scored on a pass ball in the first inning.

Louisiana Tech is in first place in Conference USA after yesterday’s 9-4 win over UAB in 12 innings.

After losing 31-7 on Saturday to Arkansas State, the Warhawks came back on Sunday to shut out the Red Wolves four to nothing. ULM won it with a walk-off grand slam by catcher Spencer Hemphill in the 9th inning.

The LSU baseball team is back from Nashville after losing a series to Vanderbilt. The Tigers won the middle game of the three game set by the final score 6-2. Antoine Duplantis had three hits in that game, while Beau Jordan and Daniel Cabrera each had two hits. The game was halted in the 8^th inning on Saturday and it was completed on Sunday morning. That’s why the series finale was just seven innings and the Tigers lost 1-0, despite a brilliant pitching performance from Ma’khail Hillard who threw six standout innings. The only run scored came on a pass ball in the first inning. The Tigers will face the Cajuns on Tuesday night in Metairie in the Wally Pontiff Classic.

The Ragin Cajuns celebrated a walk-off win over Troy yesterday as UL Lafayette beat the Trojans four to three. Zach Lafleur had the game winning hit in the bottom of the 9^th.

After losing 31-7 on Saturday to Arkansas State, the Warhawks came back on Sunday to shut out the Red Wolves four to nothing. ULM won it with a grand slam by catcher Spencer Hemphill in the 9^th inning.

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Louisiana Tech is in first place in Conference USA after yesterday’s 9-4 win over UAB in 12 innings. The Bulldogs improved to 5-1 in league play. Sophomore Kyle Griffen was the winning pitcher as he tossed 6.2 innings out of the bullpen. At one point he retired 18 consecutive batters. Mason Mallard had the go-ahead hit in the 12^th inning.

In the Southland, Sam Houston State is in first place with a 6-0 record, but Southeastern Louisiana is not far behind at 7-2. The Lions beat Houston Baptist 8-2 yesterday to win the series. Kyle Schimpf and Trenon Trosclair each drove in two runs.

McNeese snapped a three-game losing streak by scoring four runs in the 9^th inning to beat Nicholls 5-4. Shane Selman had the bit hit, a two-out two run double. The Cowboys are 6-3 in league play, while the Colonels are 4-5. Northwestern is 3-3 in the Southland after losing a series to A-and-M Corpus Christi.

The funeral service for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson concluded a short time ago in New Orleans. It was officiated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond…
cut 15 (12) “….go marching in”
Following the Mass, a second line went through the French Quarter leading Benson to his final resting place.

LSU baseball begins a three-game series tonight Vanderbilt. The Tigers took two of three from Missouri to open up SEC play, while Vandry swept Texas A-and-M. Coach Paul Mainieri says this weekend will be a good test for his team…
cut 18 (10) “…anybody’s attention”
First pitch is at 8 PM.

According to statistics provided by LSU, sophomore quarterback Myles Brennan completed 12 of 16 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns in a scrimmage last night. Justin McMillan was 7-of-15 for 169 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Lowell Narcisse threw for just 38 yards on six-of-14 attempts. Heading into the scrimmage, tight end Foster Moreau says the competition to be the starter at Q-B was dead even…
cut 20 (12) “…competition”
In last night’s scrimmage, sophomore Racey McMath led all receivers, six catches for 169 yards and a touchdown.

In NFL news, the Jets have reportedly emerged as a favorite to land free agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The former Dolphin and Lion visited with the Saints, Rams and Titans over the last week.