LSU, Ole Miss baseball series cancelled

Moments after the Southeastern Conference announced the men's basketball tournament had been cancelled, more news came down on the athletics schedule moving forward as conference and school officials monitor the spread of the coronavirus.

On Thursday, the LSU baseball series with Ole Miss was cancelled, per multiple reports.

The LSU baseball team was set to face off against the Rebels in Oxford to begin SEC play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The SEC had previously announced no fans would be allowed to attend the weekend series before it was cancelled.

The Tigers took down South Alabama 4-1 on Wednesday evening, putting the team's record at 12-5 as play is halted.

The next game on the schedule is set for Wednesday, March 18 at Alex Box Stadium. No fans will be allowed in attendance per SEC regulations.

On Wednesday evening, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced all athletic events will be restricted to participating student-athletes, coaches, families, officials, essential personnel and credentialed media beginning March 12 through March 30, 2020.

"We put the safety and wellbeing of our students and entire LSU community first, and after consulting with other SEC presidents we decided the prudent thing to do is to have athletic contests without fans for the near term," said Thomas Galligan, interim LSU president, in a release, adding that the purpose is to avoid large gatherings and minimize the risk of people getting sick.

A release from LSU officials stated the decision to restrict attendance at SEC venues was made in accordance with best practices and guidance from state, federal and public health officials regarding efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The policy will be evaluated after March 30.

"We stand strongly with Commissioner Sankey, President Galligan and our member schools on this decision," said Athletic Director Scott Woodward. "There is nothing more important than the public health and the wellbeing of our fans and student-athletes. We are prepared to do all that we can to assist in this critical effort."

The LSU Athletics Ticket Office will be in contact with impacted ticket holders for gymnastics, baseball and softball. LSU Athletics officials ask for patience as they work through this unprecedented situation with fans.

Here's the latest from LSU officials per a release on Wednesday evening:

As this is a rapidly changing situation, LSU Athletics will continue to monitor developments and consult with University and health officials. LSU encourages fans, student-athletes and families to check LSUSports.net and official social media channels for continuing updates as the situation evolves.

For the latest information on the virus, on travel advisories, and for any updates for the LSU campus community, please visit www.lsu.edu/coronavirus and follow LSU's official social media channels. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at LSU.

SOURCE: Dixon, Shea. "LSU, Ole Miss baseball series cancelled." Geaux247 - 247Sports.com, 12 March 2020, https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/LSU-Tigers-Ole-Miss-Rebels-baseball-series-2020-cancelled-coronavirus-144939355/