The Saints held their first mini-camp practice today. Safety Jairus Byrd, who has battled his fair share of injuries, was participating with the ones during drills. Wide Receiver Robert Meachem was on the field as well on a tryout basis. He was wearing number 12, which former Saint Marques Colston wore for the last decade.

Former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman has been named to the Texas League All-Star team. The former first round pick of the Astros is hitting .313 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs for Double-A Corpus Christi.

The final softball polls are out and LSU is ranked 3rd in the USA Today-NFCA Division One Coach Poll. The Tigers were 52-10 and lost to eventual national champion Oklahoma in the semifinals. UL Lafayette was eliminated by the Sooners in the Super Regionals and the Lady Cajuns are ranked 12th.

The Saints began a three-day minicamp at the team’s training facility in Metairie today. As long as there are no thunderstorms, fans will be able to attend the practices. They’ll get a chance to see if backup quarterback Garrett Grayson has improved over last year, who will be lining up at defensive end opposite of Cam Jordan and the new draft picks, like second round pick Michael Thomas.

LSU first baseman Greg Deichmann has told the Baton Rouge Advocate he will return to the Tigers next season. Deichmann was drafted in the 26th round by Minnesota. Right-handed pitcher Riley Smith announced on Instagram that he plans on signing with Diamondback after he was selected in the 31st round by the Diamondbacks, despite a 7.66 ERA. And LSU outfielder Antoine Duplantis was named a second-team all-american by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

And the SEC will have a team in the College World Series. Florida blanked instate rival Florida State seven to nothing to punch their ticket to Omaha.

McNeese State has a new softball coach. James Landreneau has been promoted to be the head coach after serving as the Cowgirls hitting coach and recruiting coordinator since 2013. During his four years at McNeese, the Cowgirls have compiled a record of 157-66. He replaces Joanna Hardin, who took the head coaching job at Virginia.

Today, tomorrow and Thursday the New Orleans Saints will hold mini-camp practices at the club’s facility in Metairie. Each session, which run from 11am-1:20pm, is open to the public. This will give fans a chance to come check out the players as they compete for roster spots. Gates open at 10:15am.

The NFL Network is reporting that former New Orleans Saints guard Ben Grubbs could be retiring due to a persistent neck injury. Grubbs, who’s been playing for the NFL for 9 years, spent three seasons in New Orleans and earned a Pro Bowl berth with the Black and Gold in 2013. He was traded to the Chiefs in 2014 and was released last season when he failed a physical.

In other NFL news, authorities say former NFL defensive lineman Bryan Robinson was found dead in a hotel room over the weekend. The cause of death is not known according to cops. Robinson played 14 years in the NFL, six of those with the Chicago Bears.

In college baseball, LSU first baseman Greg Deichman, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Baton Rouge Regional, will reportedly return to the Tigers’ for his junior season. Right hander Riley Smith said on Instagram that he’s decided to skip his senior season and sign with the Arizona Dimondbacks.

Tiger Antoine Duplantis got another honor from the National collegiate Baseball Writers Association Monday as he was named to a second team All-America.

Florida grabbed the last spot in the College World Series following a shut out game against Florida State Monday. They will play a team LSU fans are familiar with, Coastal Carolina, on Sunday night. TCU also advanced after beating Texas A&M.

LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones announced Monday that Al Pinkins, is leaving the program to pursue another coaching opportunity. Jones now has to hire two coaches for his staff.

In the NBA finals, LeBron James and the Cavaliers stayed on top of the Warriors to avoid elimination with a 112-97 victory in Game 5 Monday night.

There are some sad and tired LSU Tiger baseball fans today as they saw their team get swept in the Super Regional series against Coastal Carolina. The Bayou Bengals stranded a dozen base runners in a 4-3 loss to Coastal. LSU’s season ends with a 45-21 record and Coach Paul Mainieri says it will take a lot of work in the offseason for this team to get back in this position again…
cut 20 (16) “…our attention”
One of LSU’s hottest hitters in the postseason, Greg Deichmann, tells the Baton Rouge Advocate that he will be back next season. Deichmann was selected in the 26th round by Minnesota. LSU is expected to lose juniors Jake Fraley and Jared Poche, who were both drafted.

The Shreveport and Monroe Times reports that Louisiana Tech pitchers Phillip Diehl and Braden Bristo will sign with the Yankees. Diehl and Bristo were both drafted by New York last week.

LSU announced today that assistant men’s basketball coach Al Pinkins is leaving the program to pursue another coaching opportunity. Pinkins spent just one season with Coach Johnny Jones. David Patrick and Ronald Dupree are two other assistants who have also left during the offseason. Robert Kirby was hired to replace Patrick. This will be Kirby’s second stint at LSU.

In the NBA, Former New Orleans Hornet David West has declined his player option with the San Antonio Spurs. The 35-year-old will reportedly mull over his future, after he averaged seven points and four rebounds last season. There is a chance West can re-sign with the Spurs.

Tonight is Game Five of the NBA Finals, with a win the Warriors can win their second straight world championship.

Another LSU baseball season has come to an end as Coastal Carolina completed a two-game sweep of the Tigers with a 4-3 win last night. LSU had plenty of chances to win and force a deciding game three in the Super Regional series. But the Tigers left eight runners on base in the final three innings and 12 for the game. Coach Paul Mainieri on the lack of clutch hitting…
cut 18 (14) “…you that”
Center fielder Jake Fraley says give credit to Coastal Carolina’s pitchers, they made some big pitches at critical times…
cut 19 (15) “….some balls’

The Shreveport Times reports that Louisiana Tech’s Phillip Diehl will forgo his senior season and sign with the Yankees. Diehl was selected in the 27th round by New York after striking out 90 hitters this past season. Bulldog pitchers Adam Atkins and Braden Bristo were also selected. Bristo went in the 23rd round to the Yankees, while the Mets took Atkins in the 18th round.

Big news out of the Southeastern Conference, Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley is stepping down after leading the Gators athletics program for 25 years. During those 25 years, Florida won 27 national championships.

LSU men’s basketball assistant Al Pinkins is leaving the Tigers to pursue another coachign opportunity. Pinkins spent just one season on Coach Johnny Jones’ staff.

Saints safety Roman Harper has posted a personal message on his facebook page. Harper says it was God’s plan for him to return to New Orleans and says he’ll smile and enjoy every second of this journey.

For the third time in five seasons, LSU baseball has seen its season come to an end on its home field. Coastal Carolina’s Michael Paez’s single into left field scored the game winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning handing the Tigers a tough four to three defeat. Coach Paul Mainieri’s team finishes with a record of 45-and-21…:
Cut 17 (18) “gut”
Center fielder Jake Fraley says give credit to Coastal Carolina’s pitchers, they made some big pitches at critical times…:
Cut 19 (15) “some balls”
A majority of this team will return next season.

In MLB draft news from around the state, the Toronto Blue Jays selected ULM baseball pitcher Brayden Bouchey in the 33rd round. Junior right-hander Reagan Bazar was the first UL_Lafayette player selected as he was taken in the 17th round by the San Francisco Giants. Also headed to the pros from the Ragin Cajuns str outfielder Todd Lott and catcher Handsome Monica. Three Louisiana Tech Pitchers were Selected. Seven LSU players were selected Saturday during Day 3 of the draft. Four SLSU pitchers were selected on the draft’s final day.

There’s been a lot of buzz over the weekend about the new policy at LSU saying that opponents’ bands’ can not perform at halftime for football games in Tiger Stadium. They cite safety issues, and say people were injured in separate situations two years ago, and it’s a liability concern. It’s reported that Alabama will only bring a pep band to Death Valley as a result of the new policy, and Jacksonville State, the Tigers’ home opening opponent, said they won’t bring a band at all to the game saying they can’t justify the expense of the travel if they can’t perform at halftime.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri has named Alex Lange as his starting pitcher for Saturday night’s Game one of the Super Regional Series against Coastal Carolina. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Lange will face a team that’s hit a whopping 91-home runs, but he says they are more than just a power hitting team…
cut 15 (05) “….pitching staff”
LSU shortstop Kramer Robertson says the Tigers know Coastal is a good team and more than capable of winning this series…
cut 19 (17) “…pretty phenomenal”
Maineri says he would like to start Jared Poche in Game Two on Sunday, but wants to make sure he feels okay after two extended outings in last weekend’s regional.

Southeastern Louisiana baseball star Jameson Fisher has been drafted by the Chicago White Sox. The All-American, who hit .424 this past season, was selected in the fourth round.

Joanna Hardin, who won 79 games as the head softball coach at McNeese State that leaves two years, is leaving the Lake Charles school, as she’s been named the new head coach at Virginia.

A fishing license is not required this weekend if you want to drop a line in a public waterway. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries holds a no fishing license weekend every year in the hopes of attracting new anglers. LDWF biologist Meghan Macmenamin says there’s also several events going on in conjunction with the free recreational fishing days….
cut 4 (09) “…in Cameron”
For more information, go to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.

LSU and Coastal Carolina hold workouts at Alex Box Stadium this afternoon. Coastal is 47-16 on the year, while LSU is 45-and-19 and they’ve made a habit of coming from behind late in games this year. Tigers first baseman Greg Deichmann on why this team always believes it has a chance to win…
cut 18 (15) “…their best”
First pitch for game one is at 8 PM.

LSU center fielder Jake Fraley has been drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays. Fraley was the 77th pick overall. He’s hitting .324 on the year and leads the team with 28 stolen bases.

NFL teams do all they can to avoid offseason injuries, but they still happen. For the Saints it looks like they could be without defensive end Hau’oli Kikaha after he tore an ACL team during an organized team activity.

The Bishops of Louisiana, which oversee Catholic Schools in Louisiana, say they are forming a task force to study the future of high school athletics in this state now that LHSAA principals have voted to keep the expanded public-private championship split in place. The Bishops say this doesn’t mean they have closed the door on LHSAA membership and there’s been no commitment to any one future plan.

Former LSU basketball star Shaquille O’ Neal says he would like his son to play college basketball for Kentucky, not LSU. Shareef O’ Neal is a four-star prospect out of California and he’s six-foot-nine at the age of 16. Shaq told 24-7 sports that he would like his son to create his own path. LSU has offered a scholarship to Shareef who is in the Class of 2018.

Nicholls State basketball has announced they’ve signed a former five star prospect. His name is Roddy Peters and NCAA transfer rules will force him to sit out the upcoming season, but he’ll be eligible for the 2017-18 campaign.

Coastal Carolina has arrived in Baton Rouge for its Super Regional Series against LSU, which begins tomorrow night in Alex Box Stadium. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says the Chanticleers are second in the nation in home runs with 91 and they also have some good pitchers…:
Cut 17 (16) “really good”
Coastal Carolina is 47-16 on the year, while LSU is 45-and-19 and they’ve made a habit of coming from behind late in games this year. First pitch is 8pm.

Tiger junior outfielder Jake Fraley heard his name called by the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday in the MLB draft. He was the 77th overall pick coming in the final selection of the Lottery B round which followed the second round. More LSU Tigers are expected to be selected today in rounds 3 through 10.

The Saints defense was delivered another tough blow as it’s reported defensive end Hau’oli Kikaha (Ha-oo-lee kee-ha-ka) suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities. The former second round pick was expected to be one of the team’s pass rushers this season. This is the 3rd time Kikaha had to endure an ACL tear after having two in college.

The Saints held their final OTA of the off-season at their facility Thursday and the main buzz around the practice field was the return of veteran safety Roman Harper. The Saints will now have their biggest off season activity next week with their annual Mini-Camp.

Greg Jackney of Gonzales is dominating in the GEICO Bassmaster BASSfest at Lake Texoma as he weighed in a 20-pound, 2-ounce limit to take the lead. Bassmaster Elite Series competition will resume on Championship Sunday.

The university of Florida is renaming its football field after former coach Steve Spurrier. The change was approved Thursday, to name it Steve Spurrier Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

An up and coming player on the Saints defense could miss the 2016 season. It’s reported that defensive end Hau’oli Kikaha suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities. The former second round pick was expected to be one of the team’s pass rushers this season. Kikaha also suffered two torn ACLs at the University of Washington.

The LSU baseball team worked out today at Alex Box Stadium as they get ready for their Super Regional Series against Coastal Carolina. Coach Paul Mainieri says there’s no overlooking the Chanticleers, because they are not from a Power Five conference…
cut 30 (14) “…100-thousand people”
Mainieri has yet to decide on a starting pitcher for game one.