SHREVEPORT – Everybody in town has heard the story – the LSUS baseball team became the first in college baseball history to post a perfect record – 59-0.
But the words were uttered in the highest of places as the U.S. Senate read a resolution on July 21 honoring LSUS baseball’s feat. The joint resolution was signed by Louisiana senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy.
LSUS coach Brad Neffendorf and Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith received physical copies of that resolution this past week, which will eventually be housed in a display case.
“I’m happy for the guys – they deserve all the recognition in the world,” said LSUS baseball coach Brad Neffendorf. “The support grew throughout the year, and it kept going and going and helped fuel us.
“These guys deserve every bit of what is coming their way for what they did for the university and the City of Shreveport.”
The resolution lauded LSUS baseball’s efforts in achieving the first NAIA national championship for the school in any sport by defeating Southeastern University (Fla.) 13-7 in the title game on May 30.
Neffendorf was congratulated for winning various Coach of the Year honors along with other headliners like Isaac Rhode (NAIA Pitcher of the Year and Tournament MVP), Jose Sallorin (Golden Glove Award winner), and Cooper Huspen (Hustle Award winner).
The resolution is the latest of many, which include the Louisiana Senate, the Louisiana House of Representatives, the Shreveport Mayor’s Office, the Caddo Parish Commission, the Shreveport City Council, and the Bossier Parish Police Jury.
“I think it’s a reflection of where we’ve come in the world,” said LSUS Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith. “I’ve got a framed copy of the Wall Street Journal article, and it began with 59-0.
“Nobody does that, and this is a reflection of how big a deal that is.”
The team has been invited to the White House with the visit date still pending.
