We now know the time LSU will open play in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Florida State Saturday night at 7pm in Omaha. LSU is considered one of the heavy favorites to win the CWS, as they’ve won 16 in a row. Coach Paul Mainieri likes his team’s chances..:
Cut 16 (16) “as well”
LSU brings a 48-17 record to Omaha and they are five victories away from a national title.

Mainieri has often said he doesn’t like the distraction of the MLB draft this far deep in the post-season, but several of his players got some really good news last night. LSU junior pitcher Alex Lange was selected as the No. 30 overall pick by the Chicago Cubs. Outfielder Greg Deichmann was taken in the second round as the No. 43 overall pick by the Oakland A’s.

The 2017 New Orleans Saints Minicamp begins this morning at the team’s training facility in Metairie. All three practices today, tomorrow and Thursday are free and open to the public.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has voted for a proposal that could lead to red snapper fishing in federal waters for the next 12 weekends, beginning this Saturday. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Not a bad first season for Kevin Durant with the Warriors who walked away with the NBA championship trophy last night after beating the Cavs 129-120.

You can bet that the LSU baseball players slept late into the morning or early afternoon after a long day but gratifying day at the ballpark. The Tigers dogpiled at Alex Box Stadium just after 1:30 this morning following their 14-4 win over Mississippi State to complete a sweep of the Bulldogs.

The Tigers will get ready to play Florida State in the opening round of the College World Series this weekend. LSU has won 16 straight and have scored 10 or more runs in eight of those games. Coach Paul Mainieri says his team can do more than just hit…
cut 5 (08) “….try and do”
LSU will open play in Omaha on either Saturday and Sunday. The NCAA will release an exact day and time tonight.

The only super regional still going is in Gainesville, after Wake Forest defeated Florida 8-6 in 11 innings earlier today.

The Saints have reportedly signed a back up quarterback. Ryan Nassib will compete with Garrett Grayson for the third string Q-B duties behind Chase Daniel and Drew Brees. Nassib spent the past four seasons with the Giants and he threw just 10 passes in the regular season during that time.

Fans can attend the Saints three-day minicamp that begins tomorrow at the team’s training facility in Metairie. Practices will run from 11 AM to 1:20 and they’ll be open to the public weather permitting.

The man charged in the shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight will have his trial begin on August seventh. Ronald Gasser has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge. Authorities say road rage led tot he shooting of the former Louisiana prep star. Gasser’s attorney says the shooting was a justifiable homicide.

The major league baseball draft begins tonight. LSU starting pitcher Alex Lange is expected to be a late first round selection. There’s also a chance right fielder Greg Deichmann could be drafted after the first round is completed.

The LSU Tigers are Omaha Bound after sweeping Mississippi State in the Super Regionals. It’s mission accomplished for the players, especially for those who chose to come back for their senior seasons to try and help get the Tigers back to the College World Series. Shortstop Kramer Robertson…
cut 3 (12) “…I can do it”
It’s the fifth time Coach Paul Mainieri has led LSU to the College World Series. He says it’s a very gratifying feeling to be one of the last eight teams standing…
cut 4 (07) “….make you proud”
The Tigers will play Florida State in the opening round of the College World Series this weekend. LSU has won 16 straight and have scored 10 or more runs in eight of those games.

Tonight it’s the first round of the major league baseball draft. LSU’s Alex Lange should hear his name called late in the first round. Right fielder Greg Deichmann could be selected in the supplemental round, which takes place tonight after the first round is completed. There’s three LSU signees that could be selected early in the draft and elect to play pro ball, instead of going to college. St Amant right-handed pitcher Blayne Enlow, West Monroe outfielder Jacob Pearson and Parkview Baptist out fielder Daniel Cabrera.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball program has signed California high school product Elijah McCoy. The six-foot-nine, 235-pound forward averaged nearly 17 points and 14 rebounds a game last season at Roosevelt High School in Fresno.

A three-day minicamp for the Saints begins tomorrow and weather permitting the practices are open to the public at the team’s training facility in Metairie. Practice times are from 11 AM to 1:20 PM.

The LSU baseball team is headed to Omaha. After three rain delays, the Tigers ended up hammering Mississippi State 14-4 in a game that didn’t end until 1:36 this morning to sweep the Baton Rouge Super Regional and punch a ticket to the College World Series for the 18th time in program history and fifth under coach Paul Mainieri. LSU trailed 4-3 in the 5th inning, but took control of the game with a six-run, 5th inning. Michael Papierski delivered the big hit, a two-run double to give the Tigers the lead for good…:
Cut 18 (18) “happened to be a double”
LSU will open pursuit of its seventh national championship next weekend against Florida State.

Former Louisiana Tech pitcher Phil Maton made his major league debut for the San Diego Padres on Sunday and pitched one inning of relief. He struck out one and did not allow a hit in an 8-3 Padres loss to the Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old right-hander was a 20th round selection by the Padres in 2015.

Former LSU star Kevin Gausman allowed seven runs in his star for the Orioles as the Yankees pounded Baltimore 14-3. Gausman is now 3-5 with a 6.49 ERA.

Tonight is round one of the major league baseball draft. LSU’s Alex Lange is expected to be selected late in the first round.

In the WNBA, former LSU star Slyvia Fowles scored 30 points to help the Minnesota Lynx improve to 9-0 with 91-74 win over the Dallas Wings. Minnesota is the only unbeaten team in the league.

The US men’s soccer team got another step closer to next summer’s World Cup after earning a rare 1-1 tie versus Mexico in a qualifying match last night.

And in the NHL, the Penguins became the first team in nearly two decades to bring the Stanley Cup home twice following a 2-0 win over the Nashville Predators in Game 6 on Sunday night.

LSU has won 14 in a row heading into Saturday night’s Super Regional series match-up with Mississippi State. The Tigers have scored 10 or more runs in half of those games. Former LSU-All American and ESPN college baseball analyst Ben McDonald says the key for Mississippi State is no free passes to LSU hitters…
cut 19 (13) “….kinds of things”
Alex Lange will start game one for LSU, Jared Poche will start game two and Eric Walker is the game three starter. Sophomore lefty Konnor Pilkington starts for State on Saturday night and Coach Paul Mainieri says the Tigers have great respect for him….
cut 20 (15) “….of him”
First pitch is at 8 PM.

Tickets for the general public to the Baton Rouge Super Regional between LSU and Mississippi State sold out in less than 30 minutes Friday morning, but fans still have the option of using the secondary ticket market. StubHub spokesperson Johnna Hoff says normally they don’t see this kind of interest for college baseball…:
CUT 13 (10) “grabbing up those tickets”

Anyone can fish without a license Saturday and Sunday. State Wildlife and Fisheries Outreach Biologist Alayna McGarry says Free Fishing Weekend is about encouraging folks to get hooked on fishing…:
cut 4 (10) “the public”
Visit wlf.la.gov for more information on where to fish.

LSU and Mississippi State practice this afternoon at Alex Box Stadium in advance of their Super Regional Series that starts tomorrow night at 8 PM. State has one of the best hitters in college baseball. Brent Rooker is hitting .395 with 23 home runs and 82 RBIs. Former Tigers All-American and ESPN college baseball analyst Ben McDonald says LSU pitchers will have to make some quality pitches against him….
cut 18 (21) “…kind of mistakes”
Rooker had seven hits in three games against LSU earlier this season. LSU brings a 14-game winning streak into play this weekend, while the Bulldogs have won four in a row.

Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley is seeking a third opinion from a doctor after one heart specialist said he should end his football career. Fairley has been playing with an enlarged heart during his entire NFL career, which began in 2011. A doctor who evaluated him this offseason, saw that his condition has worsened. Coach Sean Payton says Fairely had a third examination this week and they are  waiting on the results.

The Saints will have a three-day minicamp beginning on Tuesday. And weather permitting the practices will be open to the public at the team’s training facility. And it’s also been announced that the Saints will have joint preseason practices with the Los Angeles Chargers in California before their August 20th preseason game. New Orleans will also practice with the Texans in Metairie prior to their August 26th exhibition game.

Back to college baseball…Former Louisiana Tech head coach Greg Goff has interviewed for the vacant ULM head coaching job. That’s according to the News-Star. The Monroe newspaper also reports Louisiana Tech hitting coach Jerry Zulli is leaving for the same job at Alabama.

We’ll find out today who LSU plans to pitch in Game One of the Super Regional Series against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have already announced a starter. Sophomore left-hander Konner Pilkington will pitch on Saturday. Former LSU pitcher and now college baseball analyst Ben McDonald says Pilkington is the real deal…:
Cut 17 (17) “can do”
The first two games of the best of three will start at 8pm tomorrow and Sunday.

The All-America honors have begun rolling in for LSU ahead of the Baton Rouge Super Regional. Outfielder Greg Deichmann was named a first team All-American by Baseball America. Pitcher Alex Lange was named to the publication’s second team.

Elsewhere, Ragin’ Cajun relief pitcher Wyatt Marks was named a first team All-American. Louisiana Tech pitcher Nate Harris rounded out the state’s representatives on the All-America teams.

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton confirmed Thursday that defensive tackle Nick Fairley is dealing with a heart issue that threatens his NFL career. The DT is awaiting a third medical opinion. Payton told NewOrleansSaints.com that’s what they are waiting on…:
CUT 25 (12) “talkin about”
He says Fairley has to have full confidence that continuing to play won’t make matters worse.

Meanwhile The Black and Gold are expected to hold joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers before their August 20th preseason match up in L.A. New Orleans is also expected to hold joint practices in Metairie with the Houston Texans prior to the their preseason contest of the season on August 26th.

The Monroe News-Star is reporting that Greg Goff, formerly of Louisiana Tech and Alabama, has interviewed for the vacant baseball job at ULM. Goff was fired by The Crimson Tide amid allegations he violated NCAA rules.

Andy Cannizaro returns to Baton Rouge this weekend as he leads Mississippi State in the Super Regional series against LSU. Cannizaro was Tigers hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons, before taking the head coaching job at Mississippi State. He wishes the LSU players the best, but it’s his job to beat them this weekend…
cut 18 (18) “….sometime”
Game one of the Super Regional series is Saturday night.

The Monroe-News Star reports former Louisiana Tech head coach Greg Goff has interviewed for the vacant head coaching job at ULM. Goff was fired at Alabama after just one season in Tuscaloosa.

Saints Head Coach Sean Payton says defensive tackle Nick Fairley is waiting on a third opinion from a heart specialist. One physician told the 29-year-old to stop playing football, because of a heart condition he’s had throughout his six-year professional career. Payton says he’s hopeful that Fairly will be with the Saints in 2017, but the d-lineman has to have full confidence that continuing to play won’t make matters worse.

24-7 sports says LSU’s 2018 football recruiting class is the third best in the nation. The Tigers added a 17th commitment last night when East Ascension offensive tackle Cameron Wire gave his verbal pledge to the Tigers. Wire is the third offensive lineman that’s committed for the 2018 class.

Former LSU golfer David Toms would like to see a Champions Tour event in Louisiana. Toms says a tournament for pro golfers over the age of 50 could rotate around to several different courses like University Club in Baton Rouge or Squire Creek in Choudrant.

Mississippi State is considered the underdog in this weekend’s Super Regional Series against the LSU Tigers. But the Bulldogs are confident after winning the Hattiesburg Regional. Head Coach Andy Cannizaro….
cut 17 (20) “…like our chances”
Cannizaro says sophomore left-hander Konnor Pilkington will start on the mound for the Bulldogs. Pilkington is 8-5 with a 3.56 ERA. LSU Coach Paul Mainieri has not named a starting pitcher for Game 1. That will likely happen tomorrow after Mainieri meets with reporters following the team’s Friday afternoon workout.

The numbers are out on Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore’s contract. The 11th overall pick signed a four-year deal worth 15-million dollars and he gets a nine-million dollar signing bonus. The contract also calls for a fifth-year option, which is standard for first-round picks. Offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk remains the only draft pick that has yet to sign.

Saints running back Adrian Peterson believes he can play until he’s 37 or 38 years old. He’s 32-years-old now.

Former LSU assistant and current Mississippi State Head Coach Andy Cannizaro says his team knows what it will take to beat the Tigers in this weekend’s Super Regional series. LSU swept the Bulldogs in a three-game series last month and Cannziaro believes his club has more confidence this time around..:
Cut 16 (25) “of play”
The action begins at The Box Saturday night at 8pm.

LSU pitcher Eric Walker, third baseman Josh Smith and centerfielder Zach Watson received Freshman All-America recognition Wednesday from Collegiate Baseball magazine.

Fans can buy ticket books for the Super Regional beginning at 8am this morning, though they are limited and a sell out is anticipated quickly.

Big surprise out of Oklahoma. Bob Stoops has announced he is retiring as head football coach. He said in a statement that after 18 years as the leader of the Sooners program, this decision is not health related but he just felt the timing was perfect to hand over the reins. Stoops will leave as the winningest coach in OU Sooner history with 190 wins. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley is set to take over as head coach.

The LSU football team landed a big verbal commitment from an offensive tackle Wednesday. East Ascension High’s Cameron Wire pledged to the Tigers in a Tweet. In the 2017 class, Wire is ranked as the 23rd-best player in the state, according to 247Sports.com.

Former Airline High School star O.J. Smith announced he plans to transfer from Alabama. The redshirt junior defensive tackle out of Bossier City said he decided to open up recruiting.

The Saints announce their minicamp practices from June 13th to 15th will be open to the public at the team’s training facility in Metairie.

In the NBA Finals, the Warriors rallied last night to beat the Cavs 118-113 and Golden State is now 3-0.