LSU begins a three-game series tonight against Alabama. The Fighting Tigers blew a couple of late leads in dropping their series with Kentucky last weekend. But Coach Paul Mainieri says he still has faith in his bullpen and he’s seen arms emerge as the season has gone on…
cut 18 (13) “….count on”
LSU will send left-hander Jared Poche to the mound tonight. Alabama counters with senior southpaw Taylor Guilbeau, who is 2-and-2 with a 3.07 ERA.

Also the second game of the series has been moved up to 3 PM tomorrow to avoid the potential for bad weather Friday night.

ULM has adjusted its baseball series with UT Arlington. Game one is tomorrow at one o’ clock and then the two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday.

A big baseball series starts tonight in Hammond as Northwestern State faces Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions have a half-game lead over the Demons for first place in the league standings. The Lions have won seven of their last eight, while Northwestern will send right-hander Adam Oller to the mound. He’s 4-and-1 with a 2.09 ERA.

In other Southland action…UNO is at McNeese State and Nicholls State hosts Incarnate Word.

Northwestern State’s spring game is tonight as the Joe Delaney Bowl is set to begin at 5:30 at Turpin Stadium. Coach Jay Thomas expects a lot of passing during the 60 to 75 minute scrimmage.

The Saints head equipment manager, Dan Simmons, has announced he’s retiring. Simmons has held that job since April 1, 1973.

Civil district court officials in New Orleans say the doctors that were appointed to provide a medical evalution of Saints-Pelicans owner Tom Benson have turned those evaluations into a judge and a hearing will take place June 1st.

LSU baseball begins a three game series against Alabama tonight. The series will NOT be played in Tuscaloosa, because of ongoing renovations with Alabama’s ball park. So the games will be played just outside of Birmingham at the same ball park where the SEC Tournament is held. Mainieri says his teams have won five SEC Tournament titles at the Hoover Met….
cut 17 (15) “….big hits”
Because of the Easter holiday, weekend series in the Southland will get underway today. Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State are the top two teams in the league and they will face off in Hammond. McNeese State hosts UNO, while Nicholls hosts Incarnate Word.

And the NCAA says home runs are up 39-percent over last year thanks to the new flat-seamed baseballs.

The Pelicans won last night and the Thunder lost, so New Orleans is just 1.5 games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western. New Orleans beat the Lakers 113 to 92 as Anthony Davis had 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. New Orleans is at Sacramento tomorrow night, while O-K-C visits Memphis.

U-L-M’s season ended last night as they fell to Loyola of Chicago 63 to 62. The Ramblers won the best of three series in the C-B-I two games to none. The Warhawks were led by Majok Deng who had 17 points, while Tylor Ongwae had 15 points in his final game in a Warhawks uniform.

In last night’s McDonald’s All American game….Antonio Blakeney, who is committed to play at LSU, scored 14 points, while LSU signee Ben Simmons had seven points and ten rebounds.

Two games on Louisiana Tech’s football schedule have been moved for national television. The Bulldogs game against Western Kentucky is now Thursday September 10th. And Tech’s game at Rice has been moved to Friday, October 30th.

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Alabama. Sophomore left-hander Jared Poche will get the start on the mound for the Tigers, and Coach Paul Mainieri has all the confidence in the world in Poche…

cut 16 (16) “good start”

The series will not be played in Tuscaloosa, because of ongoing renovations with Alabama’s ball park. So the games will be played just outside of Birmingham at the same ball park where the SEC Tournament is held.

In Ruston, Louisiana Tech edged ULM 3-2. The Warhawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead but Tech rallied with two runs in the fifth and got the game winner in the sixth. Laetten Galbraith picks up the win in relief for the Bulldogs, while the loss goes to ULM’s Cole Hendrix. This was the first time Tech and ULM faced each other on the diamond in seven years.

It was tight throughout, but in the end Loyola of Chicago claimed the College Basketball Invitational championship with a 63-62 win over ULM last night in Monroe. The Ramblers take the title by winning the first two games of the best of three series. The Warhawks finish the season with a 24-14 record.

The Pelicans have won three in a row after stuffing the Lakers last night 113-92. Six Pelicans scored in double figures with Anthony Davis’ 20 leading the way. The Pels west coast road trip continues Friday when they face the Sacramento Kings.

The Pelicans win coupled with Oklahoma City’s 135-131 loss to Dallas means the Pels are now just a game and a half out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Saints announced that they’ve agreed to a one-year contract with veteran right guard Jahri Evans. The extension likely provides the team with more salary cap relief for the upcoming season and keeps Evans under contract through the 2017 season. The Black and Gold also announced the signing of cornerback Kyle Wilson to a one-year contract. Wilson was drafted in the first round by the Jets in 2010, but was a considered a disappointment in New York.

The Pelicans continue their playoff push tonight as they visit the Los Angeles Lakers. The team says Ryan Anderson, who has missed the last 18 games because of a right knee injury, is expected to play. New Orleans is 2-and-a-half games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. O-K-C hosts Dallas.

ULM will try to even its best of three CBI championship series with Loyola of Chicago at one game a piece as the two teams meet tonight at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. A big crowd is expected as U-L-M is 14-and-3 at home this season.

LSU signee will play tonight in the McDonald’s All-Star game in Chicago. Simmons has won at least three major high school player of the year awards. LSU commitment Antonio Blakeney will also play in the game and so will LSU recruit Malike Newman. Salmen star Kalani Brown will play the girls McDonald’s All-Star game at 5:30 PM.

The Saints announced today that they’ve agreed to a one-year contract with veteran right guard Jahri Evans. The extension likely provides the team with more salary cap flexibility for the upcoming season and keeps Evans under contract through the 2017 season. The Black and Gold also announced the signing of cornerback Kyle Wilson to a one-year contract. Wilson was drafted in the first round by the Jets in 2010, but he was a considered a disappointment in New York.

Two games on Louisiana Tech’s football schedule has been moved for national television. The Bulldogs game against Western Kentucky has been moved to Thursday September 10th. It was originally scheduled to be played on the 12th. And Tech’s game at Rice has been moved to Friday, October 30th. Broadcast details. including television networks and game times, will be announced at a later date.

Tonight on the college baseball diamond…Louisiana Tech hosts U-L-M. The Bulldogs belted Grambling State 17 to 12 last night. It’s the first time the two schools have played each other in baseball since 2008.

The Saints have made a couple of moves today. They have signed cornerback Kyle Wilson, who is a first round draft pick of the New York Jets. He was selected 29th overall in the 2010 draft and has three interceptions during his career. He’s made just one start since 2013. And the Saints have announced a one-year contract extension for six-time Pro Bowler Jahri Evans. The move likely saves the Saints some money against this year’s salary cap.

The Pelicans begin a three-game road trip tonight as they face the Lakers. New Orleans is two and a half games back of Oklahoma City for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Thunder host Dallas tonight.

Tonight’s Game Two of the CBI championship series between ULM and Loyola of Chicago. The Warhawks are trying to force a deciding game three, which will be played in Monroe. Tonight’s game at Fant Ewing Colisuem will begin at 7 PM.

The LSU Tigers hit three home runs last night as they defeated U-L Lafayette eight to six. Alex Bregman hit one of those home runs and he finished a single away from hitting for the cycle.

In other action last night….Louisiana Tech outslugged Grambling State 17 to 12. Freshman designated hitter Brent Diaz drove in seven runs as he hit a grand slam and also had a triple.

Nicholls State thumped Alcorn State 14 to 3. Tanner Vandevere drove in four runs. Southern edged McNeese State five to four as the Jaguars have won four in a row and Tulane topped UNC Wilmington eight to four.

LSU sophomore forward Jordan Mickey announces he’s leaving LSU after two years so that he can enter the NBA draft. The Dallas native was an All SEC first team selection this past year as helped the Tigers make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009.

Third ranked LSU got past UL-Lafayette 8-6 in the annual Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic at Zephyr Field. Shortstop Alex Bregman lead the way for the Tigers going three for three with a home run, triple, and double. Righ-hander Russell Reynolds earned the win for LSU, while Connor Toups was charged with the loss for the Cajuns. The Tigers improve to 24-5 as they get ready for an SEC series against Alabama that begins Thursday. The Ragin Cajuns are now 15-11 and will host a weekend series against Georgia Southern.

In the Southland Conference, McNeese State falls to Southern 5-4. The Jaguars have now won four straight. The Cowboys will host UNO in a three game conference series beginning tomorrow night.

Speaking of the Privateers, they’ll come into that series off of a win as they defeated Loyola-New Orleans 8-2.

And Nicholls State crushed Alcorn State 14-3. This is the Colonels 24th straight win over the Braves. Nicholls gets ready to host Incarnate Word in a three game series that gets underway Thursday night.

A wild one in Grambling last night as the Tigers and Louisiana Tech combined for 31 hits and 29 runs as the Bulldogs picked up the win 17-12. Freshman designated hitter Brent Diaz lead Tech at the plate going three for five with a grand slam, triple, and a total of seven RBIs. The Bulldogs are 11-13 and begin a six game home stand tonight when ULM comes to Ruston.

LSU Forward Jordan Mickey announces he’s foregoing his final two years of eligibility and will enter his name in the 2015 NBA draft. Mickey was a first-team All-SEC selection this past season as he averaged 15 points, almost ten rebounds and 3.64 blocks per game, which led the nation.

Louisiana Tech point guard Speedy Smith was named an honorable mention on the Associated Press’ All-American team. Smith had 267 assists this past season, the most by any player in Division One basketball.

Game two of the College Basketball Invitational championship series is tonight in Monroe. ULM lost game one to Loyola of Chicago, 65 to 58. The Warhawks need to win to force a deciding game three on Friday.

The third ranked LSU baseball team will face U-L Lafayettet tonight at 7 PM in the annual Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. The Tigers are 23-and-5, even though they lost an SEC series with Kentucky this past weekend. Ragin Cajuns Coach Tony Robichaux speaks very highly of this LSU baseball team…
cut 20 (10) “…some experience”
The Cajuns bring a 15-and-10 record into tonight’s contest, which can be seen on C-S-T.

In other action, Louisiana Tech begins a stretch of 10 games in 14 days when they visit Grambling State tonight. Grambling has lost seven in a row. McNeese State hosts Southern. The Jaguars are coming off a sweep over Grambling. And Nicholls State hosts Alcorn State. The Colonels have won all 23 previous meetings against the Braves.

LSU Forward Jordan Mickey announced today that he’s foregoing his final two years of eligibilty and he’ll enter his name into the 2015 NBA draft. Mickey was a first-team All-SEC selection this past season as he averaged 15 points, almost ten rebounds and 3.64 blocks per game, which led the nation.

Louisiana Tech point guard Speedy Smith was named an honorable mention on the Associated Press’ All-American team. Smith had 267 assists this past season, the most by any player in Division One basketball.

Game two of the College Basketball Invitational championship series is tomorrow night in Monroe. ULM lost game one to Loyola of Chicago, 65 to 58. ULM needs to win tomorrow night to force a deciding game three on Friday.

In the NBA…the Pelicans begin a three-game road trip tomorrow night against the Lakers. New Orleans trails Oklahoma City by 2.5 games for the final playoff spot in the West.

The LSU and U-L Lafayette baseball teams will face each other tonight at Zephyr Field in Metairie in the annual Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. Ragin Cajuns Coach Tony Robichaux says it’s an honor to play in the game named after former LSU third baseman Wally Pontiff, who died after his junior season….
cut 30 (16) “…buries a child”
The Cajuns come in with a record of 15-and-10, while the Tigers are 23-and-5 but lost two of three from Kentucky this past weekend.

In other action, Louisiana Tech visits Grambling State tonight. Grambling has lost seven in a row. McNeese State hosts Southern. The Jaguars are coming off a sweep over Grambling. And Nicholls State hosts Alcorn State. The Colonels have won all 23 previous meetings against the Braves.

In football news…former LSU running back Stevan Ridley is visiting with the Miami Dolphins today. Ridley is coming off a 2014 season in which he played in only six games after tearing his ACL. The Dolphins Lamar Miller rushed for over one-thousand yards last season, but Ridley could serve as his back-up.

The ULM men’s basketball team returns to Monroe today as they’ll get ready for game two of the College Basketball Invitational championship series. The Warhawks lost game one last night in Chicago to Loyola 65 to 58. The Ramblers shot 51-percent from the field. The first team to shoot over 50-percent against ULM this year.

LSU’s Jordan Mickey has been named to the Lefty Drisell All-American team. And Mickey is a finalist for the 2015 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year Award. Mickey led the nation in shots blocked per game this past season.

Louisiana Tech point guard Speedy Smith was named an honorable mention on the Associated Press’ All-American team. Smith had 267 assists this past season, the most by any player in Division One basketball.

LSU and UL Lafayette will resume their baseball rivalry tonight when the two teams meet at Zephyr Field in Metairie for the annual Wally Pontiff Junior Foundation Classic. It’s always a spirited game between the two fan bases, but Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says they don’t have any animosity towards the Cajuns baseball program…

cut 24 (13) “….congratulate them”

The Ragin Cajuns beat the Tigers four to one last year in Baton Rouge.

In other action, Louisiana Tech begins a stretch of 10 games in 14 days when they visit Grambling State tonight. Grambling has lost seven in a row.

McNeese State hosts Southern. The Jaguars are coming off a sweep over Grambling.

And Nicholls State hosts Alcorn State. The Colonels have won all 23 previous meetings against the Braves.

The ULM Warhawks lead by two at the half, but couldn’t make it last as Loyola-Chicago took game one of the College Basketball Invitational 65-58. Jamaal Samuel lead all scorers with 15 and Tylor Ongwae added a double-double for the Warhawks; 12 points and 11 rebounds. ULM shot 39-percent from the field, while the Ramblers made 51-percent of their shots. Game two of the best-of-three championship series will be played in Monroe tomorrow night. Game three, if necessary, will be played Friday.

U-L Lafayette softball coach Michael Lotief released a statement explaining why he wasn’t with the team for its series against Texas State. Lotief explained he’s going through a medical issue that’s making it very hard for him to swallow or talk. Lotief says he’s been hospitalized the last several days and associate head coach TJ Hubbard will guide the team during Lotief’s absence.

And in spring football news…LSU Coach Les Miles says quarterback Anthony Jennings has been better on more days this spring as he battles with Brandon Harris to remain the Tigers starting QB.

The LSU Tigers went into the weekend ranked number one in five of the six college baseball polls, but after losing two out of three to Kentucky, the Bayou Bengals are now ranked anywhere from second to fifth. It’s the first weekend series the Tigers have lost this year as they fall to 5-and-4 in SEC play. Coach Paul Mainieri says they had a chance to win all three games, if not for some strange plays on Friday night and Sunday afternoon…
cut 18 (20) “….30 years”
LSU is in second place in the SEC West, two games back of Texas A-and-M.

In the Soutland, Southeastern Louisiana has a half game lead over Northwestern State, even though the Lions lost to Nicholls State four to nothing yesterday.

U-L-M men’s basketball is getting ready to face Loyola of Chicago in the Collegitate Basketball Invitational finals. It’s a best of three series, with the first game tonight in Chicago. The Ramblers are 22-and-13 and led by Milton Doyle and Christian Thomas, who each average 11 points a game.

U-L Lafayette softball coach Michael Lotief released a statement today expaining why he wasn’t with the team for its series against Texas State. Lotief explained he’s going through a medical issue that’s making it very hard for him to swallow or talk. Lotief says he’s been hospitlalized the las four days and Associate head coach TJ Hubbard will guide the team during Lotief’s absence.

And in spring football news…LSU Coach Les Miles says quarterback Anthony Jennings has been better on more days this spring as he battles with Brandon Harris to remain the Tigers starting QB.

And ULM released a post-spring depth chart and Brayle Brown is listed as the number one quarterback.