06:45 Sportscast, April 17th, 2017

At the halfway point of the SEC Schedule, the LSU Baseball team is 9-6 in league play after taking two of three from Ole Miss. The Tigers clinched the series victory with a three to two win over the Rebels on Saturday afternoon. Coach Paul Mainieri…:
Cut 16 (10) “this series”
It’s win number 25 on the season for the Tigers who face Lamar tomorrow.

They didn’t get the Gold, but the LSU gymnastics team has nothing to be ashamed of as they closed out a historic season after finishing second at the NCAA Championships. The Tigers claim the second highest score at a title meet in school history. Coach D-D Breaux was named the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association’s Coach of the Year for the second time in her career after leading the squad to a 34-2 overall record for the most wins in a single season in school history.

Louisiana Tech took two of three from Old Dominion over the weekend. The Bulldogs defeated the Monarchs seven to three as Tech pounded out three home runs in the ninth inning. Jordan Washam hit a solo home run to give the Diamond Dogs the lead for good…:
Cut 19 (14) “of fun”
Tech is now 6-9 in Conference USA and will host McNeese State tomorrow.

The Cowboys rallied from a 6-0 deficit through four innings to go on to defeat UNO 9-7 Saturday and complete the Southland Conference series sweep. McNeese improved to 16-2 in conference action with the win, and move into sole possession of first place in Southland standings.

Also in the Southland, Southeastern fell to Northwestern State Saturday 6-4 and the Demons avoid being swept in the conference series. The Lions will take on UL-Lafayette Wednesday.

The Ragin Cajuns completed the sweep of Arkansas State following a 3-2 victory Saturday to remain on top of the Sun Belt’s West Division.

 

 

LRN Sportscast April 15th

Ole Miss played home run derby at Alex Box Stadium last night. The Rebels pounded out four home runs against Jared Poche and Ole Miss went on to win 4-1. All four home runs were solo shots as Poche allowed just five hits. He also struck out eight. But after scoring 15 runs on Thursday, LsU was held to seven hits. The rubber game of the series is at 2 PM this afternoon.

The Ragin Cajuns clinched a series victory as UL Lafayette defeated Arkansas State 13-2. Big night for Steven Sensley as he hit two home runs and drove in five runs.

ULM committed six errors in a nine-five loss to Texas State. Louisiana Tech started its series with a 7-3 win over Old Dominion. Senior Chase Lunceford homered in the victory. Right-hander Casey Sutton won his fifth game of the season.

McNeese State won its sixth straight as the Cowboys upended uNo five to three last night. Senior Matt Gallier’s two run homer was the difference.

Southeastern Louisiana hit three home runs as the Lions edged Northwestern State three to two. Drew Avans, Carson Crites and Ryan Byers all each home runs.

Nicholls lost a tough game as UIW edged the Colonels five to four. Grambling clinched a series victory over Southern as the Tigers topped the Jaguars eight to five and Tulane topped Connecticut 3-1. Sal Gozzo drove in two runs with a double.

LSU gymnastics had a stellar performance in St. Louis last night and they will be one of six teams competing for a national championship tonight. The Tigers recorded the highest team score last night. LSU also recorded a school record with its team score on the floor and set an NCAA championship record for its score on the vault.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Sophomore left fielder Antoine Duplantis broke out of an 0-for-14 slump by going 4-for-4 last night, with three runs scored and four RBIs to help the Tigers rout the Ole Miss Rebels 15 to 2. Greg Deichmann also hit his second career grand slam. LSU is now 8-5 in the SEC, but in fourth place in the West Division. Arkansas and Auburn both won last night to remain in first place.

The Ragin Cajuns blanked Arkansas State eight to nothing yesterday to remain one game back of UT Arlington for first place in the West Division of the Sun Belt. ULM had a nice six to five win over Texas State to improve to 5-8 in league play.

McNeese won its fifth straight with a five to nothing shutout over UNO. Southeastern Louisiana has won two in a row after blancking Northwestern State two to nothing. Nicholls defeated Incarnate Word four to one, and Grambling defeated Southern 15-4.

Former LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith told the Advocate Newspaper he has visited with the Saints. Beckwith is in Indianapolis for a medical recheck of his surgically repaired knee. It’s standard for injured draft eligible players to get their injuries rechecked right before the draft.

Three former Tigers will be in Philadelphia for the first round of the draft on April 27th. They are Jamal Adams, Leonard Fournette and Tre’Davious White. Adams and Fournette are expected to be top ten picks and White should be drafted in the first round too.

LSU gymnastics team is in St. Louis for the NCAA championships. Tigers Head Coach D.D. Breaux says she’s confident the girls could become LSU’s first national champions in gymnastics…
Cut 16 (12) “no clutter”
LSU competes in the semi-finals tonight.

0645 Sportscast, April 14th, 2017

The LSU Gymnastics team can win its first national title in program history this weekend as they compete in the NCAA Championships in St. Louis. Head Coach D.D. Breaux says if everyone brings their A game, they will come home with a trophy…:
Cut 18 (09) “right stuff”
Breaux is in her 40th year and LSU just won its first SEC Championship since 1981.

Last night in LSU baseball, Greg Deichmann nailed his second career grand slam to make it 14-0 in the 6th inning on the way to the Tigers 15-2 clobbering of Ole Miss. Chris Blair had the call on the LSU sports radio network…:
CUT 25 (14) “LSU”
LSU will retire the jersey of former second baseman Todd Walker tonight in Game 2 at Alex Box Stadium.

UL-Lafayette blanked Arkansas State last night 8-0 in the series opener at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park. Ragin’ Cajuns got another stellar performance on the mound from left-hander Gunner Leger, and the team is now in a tie for having the most shutouts on the year with 7.

Also in the Sun Belt, ULM rallied in the 9th on their way to a comeback 6-5 victory over Texas State. Anthony Herrera came up with the go-ahead, two-run single — the 21st save of his career and the senior becomes ULM program’s new all-time saves leader.

In the Southland, Northwestern State was shutdown by Southeastern as the Lions’ Mac Sceroler (Sarolla) struck out a career-high 12 batters.

McNeese State blanked UNO 5-0, and the Cowboys’ Austin Sanders tossed his first career complete game shutout.

Nicholls State earned a 4-1 series-opening win over Incarnate Word with help from Senior Cole Stapler who scattered just five hits and one run while striking out six.

Grambling scored big last night in its 15-4 domination of Southern. Tulane ran over Connecticut 8-3.

Three former LSU Tigers are confirmed to attend the NFL draft. They are of course, running back Leonard Fournette and safety Jamal Adams, along with cornerback Tre’Davious White.

11:40 LRN Sportscast April 13th

Alex Lange is on the hill tonight for LSU as they begin a three-game series against Ole Miss. The Tigers have scored three runs in Lange’s last three starts. In an effort to help LSU’s struggling bats, Nick Coomes could be the starting first basemen tonight. He’s hitting .364 on the season in limited action. The Baton Rouge native says he’s been aggressive at the plate…
cut 17 (12) “…staying aggressive”
First pitch is at 6:30. Tomorrow night, LSU will retire the jersey of all-American second baseman Todd Walker.

Because of the Easter holiday, the Cajuns begin a three-game series against Arkansas State tonight in Lafayette and the Big series in the Southland this weekend is UNO at McNeese. Northwestern also faces Southeastern.

The Pelicans ended the regular season last night with a 103 to 100 win over Portland. It snaps a five-game losing streak for New Orleans. Cheick Diallo had 12 points and 16 rebounds. The second round pick has shuffled back and forh this season between the Pels and the NBA’s Development League.

Six-foot-ten power forward Mayan Kiir has signed a national letter of intent with the Tigers. He becomes the first signee for new head coach Will Wade. Coach Wade says Kiir has good range, is an outstanding rebounder and is terrific defensively.

Louisiana Tech has signed junior college forward Harrison Currey, who spent last season at Pensacola State. The six-foot-seven stretch forward averaged nearly 15 points and hit 37-percent from three-point land last season for the Pirates.

Northwestern State has added Swingman Vontay Ott to its roster. He averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds last season for his high school in California.

06:45 Sportscast, April 13th, 2017

LSU returns to SEC play tonight as the Tigers host Ole Miss for the start of a three-game series. Who will start at first base? Regular starter Jake Slaughter has been struggling with the bat, so Coach Paul Mainieri might turn to Nick Coomes, who got the start there on Tuesday night and had two hits…:
Cut 16 (17) “first base”
The Tigers are 7-5 in SEC play, one game behind Western Division leaders Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State.

UL-Lafayette will face its first Sun-Belt West Division opponent this weekend hosting Arkansas State in a three-game series beginning tonight. The Ragin Cajuns come into the series a half game back of UT Arlington in the west division standings.

Elsewhere in college baseball, Nicholls State hosts a three-game series against Incarnate Word in Thibodaux starting today. McNeese State, who are just half-game behind Sam Houston State in Southland standings, welcome UNO for three games in Lake Charles. Southeastern hosts Northwestern State in a Southland Series. ULM is at Texas STate and Tulane hosts Connecticut. Southern heads to take on rival Grambling State.

LSU head coach Will Wade has added former Wichita State assistant coach Greg Heiar (higher) to the 2017 Tigers basketball staff. With the Shockers Heiar went to a Final Four in 2012-13, and helped coach two All-Americans.

The popular LSU gymnastics team is off to the NCAA Championships which begin tomorrow in St. Louis. The program is ranked No. 2 in the country and is seeking its first national title.

The New Orleans Pelicans end a disappointing season last night with a 103-100 win over Portland.

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast April 12th

Former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and the Saints are reportedly talking about a contract. Peterson visited with the Saints yesterday. He reportedly did not workout for team officials, like he did when he visited New England. The 32-year-old has played in 20 games over the last three seasons because of injuries.

New LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly hire Wichita State assistant Greg Heiar. The 41-year-old has been the top assistant for the Shockers since 2011. Wichita State has made seven straight NCAA Tournaments.

As expected, LSU’s top scorer from last season has entered the NBA draft. Antonio Blakeney averaged 17 points a game and shot 46-from the field as a sophomore.

But the Tigers are expected to sign four-star prospect Mayan Kiir, who is six-foot-10, 220 pounds. He originally signed at VCU, but received his release from his signed letter of intent when Wade took the job at LSU.

The LSU baseball team held on for a three-to-two victory over the Cajuns for its third straight win. The Tigers scored all of their runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run single by Kramer Robertson. The Cajuns scored two in the fifth, but the Tigers preserved the lead the rest of the way. Zack Hess struck out four in an inning and two thirds.

Elsewhere….Louisiana Tech and ULM’s game was suspended by rain in the fifth inning with the Bulldogs leading four to one. A potential make-up date has not been announced. Tulane hit four home runs in a nine to three win over Nicholls and Lamar outslugged Grambling 11 to 2.

Last night the Pelicans lost to the Lakers 108-96. The regular season comes to an end tonight against Portland.

06:45 Sportscast, April 12th, 2017

No. 8 LSU picked up a hard fought 3-2 win over UL-Lafayette last night in the annual Wally Pontiff Jr Classic in Metairie in front of a record crowd of 9,963. Tiger Senior shortstop Kramer Robertson collected two RBI and played stellar defense to earn the victory. LSU improved 23-11. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 18-14-1.

Nicholls State dropped a 9-3 decision to Tulane last night in New Orleans. The Green Wave slugged four homers in the win, and improve to 15-18. UNO fell to South Alabama 9-6. Grambling was trounced by Lamar 11-2.

Last night’s ULM/Louisiana Tech baseball game in Monroe was postponed due to weather, and a make-up date not announced. The game was stopped in the fifth when the Bulldogs were up 4-1. McNeese’s game against Alcorn State last night was also canceled due to weather and won’t be made up.

The New Orleans Pelicans dropped to 0-3 on its season-closing road trip, which concludes today at Portland, when last night they fell to the Lakers 108-96.

LSU’s new men’s basketball coach Will Wade got some good news Tuesday as power forward Mayan Kiir (My-in Keer) committed to the Tigers. The signing period begins today and sources say the four-star prospect will officially become a Tiger this morning.

Meanwhile LSU sophomore guard Antonio Blakeney announced on Twitter Tuesday that he will enter the 2017 NBA draft. The top scorer says he appreciates the opportunity LSU gave him and that leaving is “bittersweet.”

Veteran NFL running back Adriane Peterson visited with the Saints on Tuesday, and left the meeting without a contract. According to sources, the two sides will continue talks about a potential deal, but it will likely be on hold until after the draft.

Tom Benson, who made millions of dollars in the auto sales business before buying the New Orleans Saints, is adding to his dealership empire. It was announced Tuesday that Benson is buying Cadillac of New Orleans.

Grammy, Emmy award-winning entertainer and New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr. will sing the national anthem at the Kentucky Derby next month.

 

16:45 LRN Sportscast April 11th

The LSU baseball team renews its rivalry tonight with the Ragin Cajuns as the two teams square off at the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic in Metairie. LSU will start freshman right-hander Matthew Beck, but Coach Paul Mainieri plans to use a lot of pitchers. Freshman right-hander Jeff Burk will start for UL Lafayette. He’s been very good, 2-3 with a 2.23 ERA. The Cajuns are 18-13-and-1 and they’ve struggled at the plate. As a team they are hitting just .272. First pitch is at seven o’ clock.

Another big rivalry game takes place in Ouachita Parish as ULM hosts Louisiana Tech. It will be the 179th meeting between the two teams. The Bulldogs beat the Warhawks 12-3 earlier this season.

Also tonight, Nicholls is at Tulane. The Green Wave defeated the Colonels three to two in 10 innings earlier this season in Thibodaux. Alcorn at McNeese has been cancelled because of rain.

The Pelicans are at the Lakers tonight. L-A has won four in a row.

Former Rams and Saints linebacker James Laurinaitis has announced his retirement. The 30-year-old played in five games with New Orleans last season after spending his first seven years in the NFL in St. Louis.

Former LSU track star Cyril Grayson has signed with the Seattle Seahawks, even though he hasn’t played in a football game since 2011. Grayson is a four-time NCAA track champion and participated in LSU pro day last week. He impressed Seattle enough that the Seahawks decided to sign him to a standard rookie deal.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson announced today he’s buying Cadillac of New Orleans in Metairie. Benson also owns Best Chevrolet in Kenner and Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans in Metairie.

Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz is getting a pay raise. Holtz has agreed to a five-year, three-point-five million dollar contract extension. He’s led the Bulldogs to three straight bowl victories.

06:45 Sportscast, April 11th, 2017

After taking two of three from Arkansas, LSU is once again back in the top ten in three major college baseball polls heading into tonight’s matchup against UL Lafayette. The Tigers are 22-11 overall, 7-5 in the SEC. Coach Paul Mainieri admits the team has its faults, but he believes in his guys…:
Cut 17 (21) “wants to”
LSU has been getting great starting pitching from Eric Walker. The freshman from Texas was named SEC Pitcher of the Week Monday. He threw a complete game shutout in the Tigers 2-0 win over the Hogs Sunday. LSU plays UL-Lafayette in Metairie tonight.

Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz has agreed in principle to a five year, $3.5 million dollar contract extension, according to athletic officials. The past year, Holtz was named Conference USA Coach of the Year after guiding the Bulldogs to a 9-5 overall record, and a C-USA division title. The new long-term contract is pending approval from the UL-System Board of Supervisors.

New LSU head basketball coach Will Wade got some rough news this week. One of his targets for the spring signing period which begins tomorrow has decided to go to the University of Houston instead of joining the Tigers. Former Lafayette High standout Corey Davis was believed to have been one of the first players Wade offered after taking the LSU job.

In the NBA, the Pelicans travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers at 9:30. New Orleans has posted the league’s worst net rating over the past four games, ranking 21st..and have the NBA’s 10th worst record.

The Chicago Bears have waived former New Orleans Saints star Tracy Porter. The Port Allen native is best known for his interception that helped New Orleans seal its 31-28 win over Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.

Former Saints pass-rusher Junior Galette was arrested in Mississippi amid allegations of disorderly conduct in an argument with cops after a fight at a concert, according to reports. Two years ago Galette was booked in Kenner on domestic battery charges.