By ROBERT L. LEE

As I watched the news late last night after the St. Charles Catholic vs. Riverside softball battle, I thought to myself, “Only in New Orleans.”

However, the event wasn’t another shooting or report of under the “gaming” table politics, it was the crushing of the attendance record for a college baseball game.

Why only New Orleans? Because when Cajuns get fired up about, something is going to get broken.

It just so happens that, surprise, people across the region have been infected by the purple and gold in all aspects of the color combination. Crashing into the mix, in the past few seasons especially, has been the Tulane Green Wave.

Their rekindled rivalry and the desire to see any kind of record crumble brought 27,763 screaming fans to the Superdome Wednesday.

The prior NCAA record to see college ball was 24,859 from the 1999 College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

I just wish I could have either been at the dome to be a part of it all, it’s that cayenne Cajun blood, or over in Baton Rouge enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience of driving in the city without any traffic. All of the city’s residents were in the dome or epoxied to their televisions.

Now move away from any nearby firearms, because I have to say I only wish Tulane would have scored at least the nine points and L.S.U. maybe one.

I have no loyalty to the Green Wave, but I like to go for the smaller teams more than not. But, a Tulane victory was certainly possible, make no doubt. The Green Wave did win five of the previous six games versus the Tigers.

From what I hear about Wednesday’s game, Tulane’s losing score of five points stemmed from them hitting like girls. Now that’s what other people have said, but trust me, the girls I have seen play around here could hit and whip quite a few guys, so I don’t think it’s that exact reason.

I haven’t spoken to Tulane’s coach or reached any of the Tulane players, so I can only guess why they choked. What a bad night not to be on top of your game.

Since it is obvious Tulane didn’t do a good enough job, just agree for a moment, I say let the big, bad Tigers take on some Ragin’ Cajuns.

The match may not draw as many ticket sales, but I guarantee it would be a great game deserving of the setting which will definitely get the Superdome rocking and yes, send the Tigers back to Baton Rouge with a loss, or at least a very close shave of a win.

ROBERT L. LEE is the sports editor and may be reached at 985-652-9545.