Spring Street Museum displays exhibit on LSUS baseball's perfect season

Spring Street Museum displays exhibit on LSUS baseball's perfect season

SHREVEPORT - When people step into the Spring Street Museum, arguably Shreveport's oldest existing building, most would expect to find exhibits on topics or events from the distant past.

But the museum curated a display on something much more recent - LSUS baseball's perfect season, the first ever in college baseball history.

"When most people hear the word historic, they think of long ago," said Dominick Mercer, coordinator of museum services. "But that's not always the case.

"When something is the first of its kind, so great a feat that in the moment people understand it's an historic accomplishment, it's part of history at that moment."

The Pilots put together a 59-0 season, breaking a multitude of records that included most consecutive wins at any level.

The NAIA national championship trophy is the crown jewel of the exhibit, LSUS's first national title in any sport despite being an NAIA power in baseball and men's basketball for more than two decades.

The exhibit includes game-used items like bats, helmets and a signed baseball by the entire team. The feat garnered national and international attention, and the exhibit shows off a sample of the media attention the team received.

"It feels incredible to be able to display a historic event in the present as it speaks to the accomplishment of the team and the community," Mercer said. "People can expect to learn just how difficult of an accomplishment this is for any baseball team, and the pride the community should have for a team that's written Shreveport's name as the first city to host a team to do it."

While LSUS handled many opponents in blowout fashion, the season certainly had its share of drama.

The Pilots fell behind 4-0 to Southeastern in the first 1 ½ innings of the national championship game, but LSUS scored 13 of the final 16 runs to cruise to a 13-7 win.

Pitcher Isaac Rhode, coach Brad Neffendorf, athletic director Lucas Morgan and athletic trainer Meghan Neffendorf all won NAIA national awards in their respective disciplines.

Josh Gibson, Draven Zeigler, Vantrel Reed and Cobe Reeves joined Rhode as NAIA All-American selections.

The Spring Street Museum exhibit will run through October. The museum is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.