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UNO head coach Tom Walter said he plans to return to the school next season. Walter said he has not been contacted by another other school. Walter made the comments after 8-2 loss to Southern Miss in an elimination game in the Baton Rouge regional. Second baseman Johnny Giavotella, a junior says he plans to turn pro.

In the second inning of today's game, a long fly ball to left off the bat of Keith Winstead was ruled foul by the third base umpire. But, then the entire crew huddled and change the call to fair. Winstead was credited with a three run homer off UNO ace Bryan Cryer. In the subsequent rhubarb, UNO pitching coach Kirk Bullinger was ejected for arguing. The umpires released a statement after the game .. Crew chief Joe Burleson , the umpire at first , said .."There's certain play where we are going to get together and get the call right. That was one of them. Burlerson added, "The calling official called it first but did not have definite knowledge that it was fair.."

Southern Miss advances to tonight's 6 pm game against LSU . If LSU wins, the Tigers win the Baton Rouge regional. If Southern Miss wins, the two teams play again Monday at 1 pm at the Box.

In a statement, LSU says athletic director Skip Bertman is sitting up and reading and could go home as early as Monday or Tuesday. Bertman was apparently experiencing the early stages of a heart attack when he was taken to a local hospital Saturday. A procedure was done to clear a blocked artery. Bertman turned 70 May 23rd. He will assume his new role as athletic director "emeritus" July 1.

We'll update later tonight.

Ed Daniels
5:50 pm
Sunday June 1st
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

LSU will open Super Regional play at Alex Box Stadium Friday June 6th or Saturday June 7th against Cal Irvine. The Anteaters won the Lincoln Nebraska regional with a 8-0 over Oral Roberts.

Cal Irvine is a quality club with a winning tradition. Anteaters have won 6 straight NCAA regional games, and have won an NCAA regional in back to back years. At the Lincoln Regional, Irvine pitchers struckout 34 hitters in 3 games.

LSU third baseman Michael Hollander was outstanding in an 11-4 win over Southern Miss that clinched the Baton Rouge regional. Hollander was 4 for 5 with 4 RBI. He also made a diving stop and throw em out on a hard ground ball up the line. That play saved a run for LSU.

Tigers have now won 23 consecutive games and by the time they play Cal Irvine, it will be seven weeks since LSU last suffered a defeat.

Ed Daniels
Baton Rouge, LA
Monday June 2nd
12:41 AM

Tulane has acquitted itself well in the Tallahassee regional. But , Florida State is just too good. The Seminoles hit up and down the line up. I am shocked that Bucknell shutout Florida State 7-0 in the first round Friday. To beat Florida State, you have to score along with them. They have too much pop up and down the line up.

I am checking the stats on LSU baseball. Comparing the numbers from 2007 to 2008 tells the story. Just a couple: last year LSU hit 40 homers. This year 88 and counting. The Tigers deep batting order and terrific bullpen are reflected in this stat: Last year in the 8th and 9th innings, the opposition outscored LSU 72 runs to 41. In 2008, in the 8th and 9th innings LSU has outscored opponents 79-41. LSU's club is talented and young. The Tigers will once again be an NCAA fixture, and perhaps a fixture once again in Omaha.

Ed Daniels
10:00 pm
Monday June 2nd, 2008

Saints quarterback Mark Brunell continues to impress in off season workouts. Head coach Sean Payton said Brunell has picked up the offensive system quickly. But the most impressive part of Brunell's off season work has been his arm strength. Brunell, who turns 38 in September, has shown plenty of zip on some deep slants and out routes. Brunell's two most impressive throws today were both dropped in the endzone. Robert Meachem dropped one, Lance Moore the other.

Best play of practice: Cornerback Jason Craft breaking up a pass over the middle intended for rookie wide out Adrian Arrington.

The Saints also had a host of candidates returning punts. Among those vying for the job is former LSU Tiger and Higgins High product Skyler Green. I asked Saints head coach Sean Payton if a player was a good punt returner, would that justify a roster spot? Said Payton, "I think you always have to consider that, yes. If a guy brought something to the table more than what you felt you had. You see teams do that every year."

The Saints special teams were lacking in '07 , something that Payton is determined to fix this season.

Will Smith didn't practice with a toe injury, but the Saints defensive end stayed to work out in OTA's , which are voluntary workouts. Payton was asked if this was a sign something had been worked out contract wise with Smith? Said Payton, "Mickey (GM Loomis) and his agent are working through the contract and trying to sort things out. There's nothing really new to announce."

Games times for LSU's super regional in Baton Rouge against UC Irvine are: Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 3 pm, and if necessary Monday at 6 pm.

LSU's football season opener against Appalachian State August 30th at Tiger Stadium will kickoff at 4 pm. Game time was moved to accomodate ESPN. The game will mark the first time the defending 1A champ has met the defending 1AA champ in the season opener the following year.

Ed Daniels
Updated 2:47 pm
Tuesday June 3rd

The Saints announced a restructuring of their front off-season, and in the process fired Vice President of player personnel Rick Mueller.

The Saints would never say it, but someone has to pay the price for a disastrous off season in 2007. No draft choice made an impact on the club. First round pick Robert Meachem didn't play a down.

In my opinion the draft room now belongs to head coach Sean Payton , who clearly swings a big stick in the acquisition of personnel. I don't know if this is a good thing. Frankly I think it is good to have a voice in the room who will disagree.

I don't understand how Rick Mueller gets the blame when Mickey Loomis has been the GM since May of 2002. Your thoughts?

Head coach Byron Scott made a very smart business decision in agreeing to a 2 year contract extension. If the Hornets win a championship, Scott will again break the bank with a deal in the $10 million dollar range.

Scott isn't going anywhere. He said today, "I hope to be here when Chris (Paul) retires. That's how much I care about the young man. That's how much I think about this young man as a basketball player and a person..."

Ed Daniels
New Orleans, LA
Wednesday
June 5th, 2008

ESPN has apologized for cutting away from last night's LSU UC Irvine game to show the Arizona State Fresno State super regional game. If you were watching the game on high definition ESPN 2 last night in the state of Louisiana, you may have been affected. ESPN says the switch was not made on standard definition TV in the State.

LSU will practice in Omaha at Rosenblatt at 4 pm Friday. #7 LSU plays #2 national seed North Carolina at 6 pm Sunday.

Great story from head coach Paul Mainieri . He said before the season he told his team this: "10 years, 20 years later, this is to be the team remembered as the team that will turn the program in the right direction."

The Hornets worked out five prospects today in the club's first pre draft workouts. Among the five Bonnabel High and Vanderbilt's Shan Foster , and Jeremy Pargo of Gonzaga. He's the younger brother of Hornets guard Jannero Pargo.

For the third time in less than a month, LSU pulled off a miracle rally. Today, the Tigers get 4 in the ninth to beat Rice 6-5 in Omaha. Rice goes home. In the SEC tournament LSU was down 4-0 to South Carolina. The Tigers got 4 in the 9th then won in 10 innings. LSU got 7 in the last two innings, including five in the 9th, to beat Cal Irvine in game 2 of the Super Regionals. LSU plays #2 national seed North Carolina Thursday night in an elimination game at 6 pm Central. The winner must beat Fresno State twice to reach the championship series.

In the 9th inning today, Rice head coach Wayne Graham had Bobby Bell warm in the bullpen but stayed with reliever Cole St Clair. It is a non move that Graham will regret.

Can LSU go all the way? Love to hear your thoughts.

Ed Daniels
Omaha
6 17 08

LSU and North Carolina are once again delayed by rain. North Carolina bats in the top of the third leading 2-1. Carolina had the bases loaded in the first with two runs already in and one out.LSU pitcher Jared Bradford started today's suspended and promptly got Garrett Gore to ground into a 5-4-3 double play to end the first.

LSU got a run in the second on an RBI single by shortstop DJ LeMahieu. Bradford has been brilliant in relief of Blake Martin. Bradford has struck out three of the six Carolina hitters he has faced. He has only one hit.

The rain has stopped here at Rosenblatt , but another lightning strike has delayed the game till at least 7:30 pm

Ed Daniels
Omaha, NE
June 20th 7:03 pm