LSU Shreveport does impossible in mind-boggling historic season
No baseball team is ever going to go 162-0, but 59-0 is now proven possible.
LSU Shreveport became the first college baseball team ever to go undefeated when it finished off a perfect season Friday by beating Southeastern, 13-7, to capture the NAIA championship.
The NAIA is different from the NCAA and governs more than 250 mostly small schools across the country.
Athletes compete in 16 sports for 29 championships while earning $1.3 billion in scholarships.
LSU Shreveport's dream was in danger — 58-1 without a championship would have been the ultimate heartbreaker — when it fell behind 4-0 in the second inning of the championship game.
The Pilots didn't take the lead for good until a five-run outburst in the sixth.
LSU Shreveport has appeared in the national tournament every year since 2005 and was making its third NAIA World Series trip since 2021.
But this season was another level of dominance en route to the program's first national championship under sixth-year head coach Brad Neffendorf.
LSU Shreveport finished their season at 59-0.
Instagram/@lsusathletics
'It's hard to still comprehend,' Neffendorf told the school's Facebook page. 'It's hard to know that it's over because it's been such an unbelievable group, but it's 35 years in the making.'
The Pilots only played four one-run games, averaged 11.3 runs per game, hit .361 as a team and launched 76 home runs.
LSU Shreveport made history in their perfect season.
Instagram/@lsusathletics
All 11 players who had at least 100 at-bats over the season hit better .300, including three .400 hitters.
They were just as good, if not better, on the mound (2.38 ERA) and in the field (.982 fielding percentage) — both of which led the nation.
LSU Shreveport's winning streak is the longest ever at any level of college baseball.
Fittingly, the Pilots ranked No. 1 in every NAIA poll from the preseason through the final pitch.
By comparison, the NCAA's best single-season records belong to Arizona State (64-6 in 1972) in Division I, Savannah State (46-3 in 2000) in Division II and Trinity (45-1 in 2008) in Division III, according to The Associated Press.
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Blankenship travels from the beach to cheer on the Pilots
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — LSU-Shreveport head basketball coach Kyle Blankenship might be the baseball team's biggest fan. The Pilot baseball team is fresh off an unbeaten National Championship season. Blankenship started the World Series in Florida, on vacation with his family. He jumped on a plane and flew across the country to Lewiston, Idaho to support his friend and colleague Brad Neffendorf and the Pilots as they won the National Title. Perfect season, 1st national championship for undeafeated LSU Shreveport At the National Championship celebration, Neffendorf spoke fondly on his relationship with his basketball counterpart. 'I think ever since I've gotten here our families have hit it off,' said Neffendorf. We're in full support of each others programs, our guys go to every one of his games and his guys come out and watch ours.' In Neffendorf's tenure at LSUS, the Pilots are 3-0 in Lewiston with Blankenship in attendance. 'Kyle brought to my attention today, he's undefeated in Lewiston,' said Neffendorf. 'As far as I'm concerned he's got to be with us with a special assignment or assistant coach it doesn't matter.' Shreveport celebrates LSUS perfect ending, historic season Upon returning to Florida and rejoining his family on vacation, Blankenship posted a video to social media congratulating the baseball team on an historic season. 'Well I'm not in Idaho anymore but the flags are still flying purple and gold here in Florida baby' said Blankenship while showing the beach's yellow and purple flags for the gulf's water conditions. 'Congrats to LSUS Baseball on your history making, record setting 59-0 NAIA World Series National Championship. Let's go Pilots.' Blankenship traveled over 5,000 miles to essentially be in two places at once. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
a day ago
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North Texas athlete honors his dad after unexpected passing amid perfect 59-0 baseball season
Henry Cooper Huspen is still navigating the emotional collision of triumph and loss. The 23-year-old LSU Shreveport graduate helped make sports history with his team's undefeated season, just days after losing one of the most important people in his life. "I try to celebrate in the grief," Huspen said. "No matter what, like right now, my dad's happy and wants me to keep going and live my life." Huspen, an outfielder for LSU Shreveport, was part of the first college baseball team to complete a perfect season, finishing 59-0 and winning the NAIA World Series. His father, Bob Huspen, 61, was a devoted fan of baseball and golf. He never missed a game, often traveling to support his sons, Cooper and Colin, who play at different colleges. "He had his tickets booked," Cooper said. "He told me he was going to be five rows up, right behind home plate. He couldn't wait to get there." The two had planned the trip to Idaho for the championship. Just days earlier, they celebrated Cooper's college graduation with dinner at a steakhouse. The next day, Bob helped move his son's belongings back to Texas before planning to fly out for the tournament. But before the first game, Cooper received devastating news at an NAIA banquet: his father had died unexpectedly. He rushed home to Allen to be with his mother and brother. "His love for us and for the game showed in everything he did," said Colin Huspen, 21, who plays baseball at Abilene Christian University. "He never missed a game. He shaped us into the players and people we are today. We will miss him so much." Despite the heartbreak, Cooper returned to Idaho to honor his father's memory. His teammates supported him, even hanging a jersey in the dugout in tribute. "His performance was more than just athletic; it was a tribute," Kristi Huspen said. "In honoring his father's legacy, Cooper reminded us all what true strength looks like." LSU Shreveport defeated Southeastern Florida 13-7 to complete the historic season. Cooper was awarded the Charles Berry Hustle Award, given to players who demonstrate unwavering commitment on the field. "I talk to him every night," Cooper said. "I let him know we're doing this for him. That's the most important thing for me—being strong for him." Bob Huspen's funeral will be held on Thursday, June 5, in the Chicago area. On Father's Day, the brothers plan to watch the final round of the U.S. Open and remember the man who never missed a moment.
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Celebration Honoring LSU Shreveport Pilots' Historic Season
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