The LSU baseball team hosts Southeastern Louisiana tonight. The Tigers are looking to avoid their third home midweek loss of the year. They were defeated earlier this season at the Box in games against Tulane and McNeese. Southeastern is led by Jameson Fisher, who leads the nation with a .462 batting average.

In other action tonight…UL Lafayette hosts McNeese State. The Cajuns beat Nicholls State four to three last night. Brian Mills hit a big two-run double in the seventh to help give UL Lafayette its 25th win on the year.

Also tonight, ULM is at 7th ranked Mississippi State. It’s the first time these two schools have met on the baseball diamond since 2009 and the Warhawks won that game seven to one.

Looking at the latest NCAA RPIs, LSU is 13th, the Cajuns are 15th and Northwestern State is 34th.

LSU guard Antonio Blakeney has decided to return for his sophomore season. Blakeney told Coach Johnny Jones earlier this month he would put his name into the NBA draft, but not hire an agent. But the Florida native says he can further improve his skill set in different areas if he stays at LSU for at least one more season.

Tiger Rag-dot-com is reporting that former LSU assistant Robert Kirby is in the mix to fill a vacant coaching position on Jones’ staff. Jones is looking for somone to replace David Patrick. Kirby was at LSU during Jones’ first season and left LSU for Memphis in 2013.

LSU says men’s basketball guard Antonio Blakeney says he will not put his name in for the upcoming NBA draft — instead returning to play for the Tigers in his sophomore season. Blakeney is a member of the 2016 SEC All-Freshman team. and he was also named the SEC Freshman of the Week twice during last season. He says he feels it’s in his best interest to return and continue to improve his game so he can be an even more effective player.

In college baseball, the 20th ranked Ragin Cajuns edged Nicholls 4-3 Tuesday night in Lafayette. The win is the 7th straight at home for the Cajuns who improve to 25-12 on the year. Nicholls is 16-22 for the season. UL-Lafayette hosts McNeese State tonight. The Colonels next fly to Lincoln for a three-game series against Nebraska beginning Friday. Also last night, Southern University fell to Loyola.

Tonight No. 5 LSU will take on Southeastern Louisiana in Alex Box Stadium. UNO is at Jackson State and ULM travels to face Mississippi State.

The new Louisiana Tech women’s basketball coach, Brooke Stoehr, says she’s ready to help the program move forward. Stoehr was introduced as the new head coach for the Lady Techsters on Tuesday. She takes over for Tyler Summitt, who abruptly resigned earlier this month after admitting that he had an inappropriate relationship.

The LHSAA is set to hold a special meeting on June 8th called for principals to vote on a compromise plan to put into place the expanded championship split for boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball that was approved in January. The hybrid plan would give the LHSAA nine championships in those sports instead of the 12 approved at the start of the year.

Northwestern State is mourning the death of John McConathy. He’s the father of current Demons Coach Mike McConathy and he’s considered one of Northwestern’s greatest basketball players. John McConathy was an all-american at the Natchitoches school and the fifth pick in the 1951 NBA draft. He was 86 years old.

LSU’s Antonio Blakeney has announced he will return for his sophomore season. Blakeney had considered submitting his name for the NBA draft, but the shooting guard from Florida has decided to stay at LSU. Blakeney averaged nearly 13 points and three rebounds a game during his freshman campaign.

Louisiana Tech introduced Brooke Stoehr as its new women’s basketball coach. Stoehr, who is a former Lady Techster player and assistant coach, returns to Ruston after a successful run as the co-head coach at Northwestern State. Stoehr led the Lady Demons to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014-15.

Northwestern State is mourning the death of John McConathy. He’s the father of current Demons Coach Mike McConathy and he’s considered one of Northwestern’s greatest basketball players. John McConathy was an all-american at the Natchitoches school and the fifth pick in the 1951 NBA draft. He was 86 years old.

In college baseball action tonight…24th ranked UL Lafayette hosts Nicholls state. Earlier this season, the Cajuns beat the Colonels five to four in Thibodaux. Northwestern State is at Lousiana Tech. The Bulldogs are 20-12 on the year, while the Demons are 18-17.

LSU’s next game is Wednesday night when they host Southeastern Louisiana. The Tigers have lost three midweek games already this season. Coach Paul Mainieri knows the Tigers can’t afford to many more midweek defeats, if they want to host a regional…
cut 19 (16) “…get it done”
First pitch tomorrow night at Alex Box Stadium is at 6:30.

LSU baseball has won four in a row and they are ranked fifth by Baseball America. The Tigers are coming off a sweep over Missouri. They had 40 hits in the three victories and Coach Paul Mainieri says they faced two of the better starting pitchers in the conference…
cut 18 (12) “…get down”
LSU’s next game is tomorrow night when they host Southeastern Louisiana.

In action tonight…24th ranked UL Lafayette hosts Nicholls state. Earlier this season, the Cajuns beat the Colonels five to four in Thibodaux. Northwestern State is at Lousiana Tech. The Bulldogs are 20-12 on the year, while the Demons are 18-17.

Elsewhere….Grambling hosts Wiley and Southern Miss is at Tulane.

Louisiana Tech introduces Brooke Stoehr as the new head coach of the Lady Techsters women’s basketball program. She replaces Tyler Summit, who resigned after two seasons as a result of an inappropriate relationship. Stoehr is a former assistant coach at Tech and she helped the Lady Techsters win four regular season conference titles as a player.

Northwestern State is mourning the death of John McConathy. He’s the father of current Demons Coach Mike McConathy and he’s considered one of Northwestern’s greatest basketball players. John McConathy was an all-american at the Natchitoches school and the fifth pick in the 1951 NBA draft. He was 86 years old.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will not have just one, but two horses who will run in the Kentucky Derby on May 7th. MO Tom and Tom’s Ready will part of the field of 20 horses who will run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

After a slow start in conference play, LSU finds itself just one game back of Texas A&M for first place in the SEC West. The Bayou Bengals are 9-6 in the SEC and Coach Paul Manieri is pleased at this time…:
Cut 17 (16) “9-6″
Baseball America has the Tigers at NO. 5, while USA Today Coaches ranks LSU seventh. The Bayou Bengals host Southland-leading Southeastern tomorrow night.

In the D-1 Baseball poll, UL-Lafayette is ranked 24. The 24-12 Ragin Cajuns host Nicholls State today. Loyola is at Southern. Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State. Grambling hosts Wiley. Tulane hosts Southern Miss.

McNeese’s Collin Kober has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week.

A reserve New Orleans Police officer who dined with Will Smith the night the former Saints player was shot to death has been pulled from the force, according to a report from WWL-TV. Billy Ceravolo has been retired but served with the department in its reserve ranks. According to the TV station, NOPD officials said they took the action to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Coming off the abrupt resignation of Tyler Summitt who admitted to having an inappropriate relationship, Louisiana Tech announces the hiring of Brooke Stoehr to be its next women’s basketball coach.

Tom and Gayle Benson own two entries in the Kentucky Derby Saturday — Mo Tom and Tom’s ready. Mr. Benson says he is excited to share with New Orleans and Louisiana the experience of having two local horses in the most prestigious race in the country.

Former NFL players already diagnosed with brain injuries linked to repeated concussions, could begin receiving benefits in the coming months after a federal appeals court Monday upheld a $1 billion dollar plan by the league to settle thousands of lawsuits.

LSU is coming off its first SEC series sweep of the year and they’ve won four in a row, which has put them back in the Top 10 in several polls. Baseball America has the Tigers ranked fifth, the USA Today Coaches Poll has them at number seven and D-1 Baseball has the Bayou Bengals ranked 10th.

UL Lafayette is ranked 24th in the D-1 poll. The Cajuns won two of three from Southeastern Louisiana.

McNeese’s Collin Kober has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Week. The right-hander earned three saves in the Cowboys four victories last week. McNeese is at UL Lafayette on Wednesday and they’ll host Southland-leading Southeastern this weekend.

Co-head coach of the Northwestern State woman’s basketball, Brooke Stoehr, will be the new head coach of the Lady Techsters. The 35-year-old played for La Tech and helped them reach a final four and win four conference titles.

At LSU’s spring game, fans were able to get a look at the Tigers new back-up quarterback, Danny Etling, a transfer from Purdue. Etling was 6-of=-12 for 106 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Starting quarterback Brandon Harris enjoys the compeitition….
cut 18 (13) “…get better”
In Lafayette, Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth is holding off on naming a starting QB. Freshman Chris Weaver outperformed Jordan Davis in the spring game.

At Louisiana Tech’s spring game, Jaylon Ferguson had three sacks. The former West Feliciana High standout had six sacks last season and knows a lot will be expected from him in 2016….
cut 20 (12) “…for it”

After sweeping Missouri, LSU finds itself ranked in the top 10 in the major college baseball polls. Baseball America has the Tigers ranked fifth, while D1 baseball has LSU at number ten.

The Ragin Cajuns are back in the D1 top 25 poll. UL Lafayette has won 12 of its last 15 and they are coming off a weekend where they won two of three from Southeastern Louisiana.

Talking a look at the Southland standings, Southeastern is still in first place with a 13-2 league record. McNeese is gaining on the Lions. The Cowboys took two of three from Lamar this past weekend.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech took of three from FIU. The Bulldogs won the series finale 5 to nothing as Casey Sutton tossed a complete game three-hit shutout.

In the SWAC, Grambling and Arkansas Pine-Bluff are tied for first in the SWAC West division.

LSU starting quarterback Brandon Harris was 11-of-15 for 106 yards in Saturday’s spring game. Harris liked what he accomplished…
cut 17 (11) “…go out”
At Louisiana Tech’s spring game, new starting quarterback Ryan Higgins threw for 469 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Two freshmen wide receivers stood out. Kam McKnight had 8 catches for 106 yards and one touchdown, while Alfred Smith grabbed four passes for 120 yards. Higgins says McKnight and Smith will be really good football players…
cut 19 (16) “…as well”

State Police Col Mike Edmonson wrote a letter to the lawyer of the man accused in the shooting and killing of former Saints player Will Smith, saying they will not take over the murder investigation. John Fuller, attorney for 28-year-old Cardell Hayes, made the request of state police. Edmonson says he’s confident city police can conduct an objective and professional investigation. Smith was allegedly gunned down by Hayes last weekend in what police call a road-rage incident.

Spring football is over for the Tigers and the anticipation for the 2016 season begins. Based on a large number of starters returning, LSU will be ranked in the Top 10 in the preseason polls. Coach Les Miles says if the Tigers want to be a national title contender, they must be dedicated to improving…:
Cut 16 (20) “to be elite”

At Louisiana Tech’s spring game, new starting quarterback Ryan Higgins threw for 469 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Two freshmen wide receivers stood out. Kam McKnight had 8 catches for 106 yards and one touchdown, while Alfred Smith grabbed four passes for 120 yards. Tech opens the season September 3rd at Arkansas.

In college baseball, LSU completed the three game SEC series sweep at Missouri following a 15-2 pounding on Sunday.

UL-Lafayette rallied for five runs in the 6th to overcome a three-run deficit and defeat Southeastern 5-4 on Sunday to take the series in Hammond.

McNeese State secured their series with a 1-0 shutout over No. 25 Lamar. ULM picked up the 5-3 win over Georgia State marking the Warhawks’ second consecutive series win.

Nicholls State fell to Central Arkansas 7-2 in Thibodaux. Southern beat Prairie View 13-9.

LSU’s Ben Simmons was named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association men’s college basketball player of the year.

The LSU baseball team fell behind two to nothing last night to Missouri but exploded for five runs in the third inning and went on to beat the other Tigers seven to five. Bryce Jordan hit a three-run homer in that five-run third. Relief pitcher Hunter Newman made LSU’s lead hold up as he pitched three scoreless innings of relief for his second save of the season…
cut 30 (10) “….base dugout”
That’s Chris Blair on the LSU Sports Radio Network calling Newman’s strikeout to end the 8th inning. LSU and Missouri go at it again today at 2 PM.

In other action, the Ragin Cajuns defeated Southeastern four to one. Brenn Conrad and Joe Robbins each solo home runs for UL Lafayette. Georgia State beat ULM seven to three, FIU blanked Louisiana Tech 1-0. Lamar over McNeese five to one, Northwestern upended UNO six to one and Nicholls defeated Central Arkansas eight to two.

Should be outstanding weather for all of the spring football games that will take place today across the state. LSU’s spring game begins at 3 PM at Tiger Stadium and can be seen on the SEC Network. Coach Les Miles says the first-team offense will go up against the first-team defense for about 25 plays.

UL Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, ULM, McNeese, Northwestern and Southeastern will all have spring games today.

Two football stars were remembered fondly yesterday as a public visitation for former Saints defensive end Will Smith took place at the team’s training facility in Metairie. Funeral services also took place in Madisonville for former LSU and Saints running back Hokie Gajan, who died of cancer. Smith’s number 91 and Gajan’s number 46 were displayed on the side of the Superdome last night.

The LSU gymnastics squad will compete for a national championship today. The Tigers are in the Super Six compeitition, which will be shown on ESPN-U at eight PM from the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Former coaches, teammates, friends and fans are at the Saints training facility to pay their final respects to former Saint Will Smith. The team is showing highlights of the defensive end’s career on televisions, there’s large pictures of Smith and his preserved high school locker is also on display. Funeral services were also this afternoon for former Saints and LSU running back Hokie Gajan, who died after a battle with cancer.

The 2016 schedule for the Saints is out and based on winning percentages from last season, it won’t be easy for the Black and Gold to get back in the playoffs. New Orleans opens the season by hosting Oakland. They have one Monday night game and that’s September 26th against Atlanta. They visit Carolina for a Thursday night game on November 17th. Three of the team’s last four games are on the road, including a trip to Arizona on December 18th.

LSU’s spring game is tomorrow at 3 PM. The first team offense will face the first team defense for 20 to 25 plays in the first half. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the most interesting aspect of Saturday’s spring game is what will new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s 3-4 defensive scheme look like…
cut 17 (19) “….are lining up”
Worsham says keep an eye on rookie linebackers Devin White and Michael Divinity Junior who are early-enrollees.

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Missouri. The Tigers are 8-0 all time against the other Tigers from the SEC East. In other action, UL Lafayette battes Southeastern this weekend, Northwestern is at UNO, ULM hosts Georgia State and Louisiana Tech begins a nine-game homestand against FIU.