Pilots Claim RRAC Championship in 17–6 Win, Place Seven on All Tournament Team

SHREVEPORT, La. -- LSU Shreveport delivered a commanding offensive performance to defeat Texas A&M–Texarkana, 17–6, and capture the Red River Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament Championship on Monday afternoon at Pilot Field in Shreveport. With the win, the Pilots improved to 41–12 overall, while the Eagles concluded their season at 31–25.

After a scoreless opening inning, LSU Shreveport struck first in the second. Evan Gant grounded out to second before Carlos Vega singled through the left side. Brett Justice drew a walk to move Vega into scoring position, and Bula White followed with an RBI single to right field to plate Vega and give the Pilots a 1–0 lead.

The Pilots extended their advantage in the third when Dorien Jackson homered to bring in two runs, scoring Quaterrion Walton. Later in the inning, Vega singled to left center to score Carlos Sanchez and make it 4–0.

LSU Shreveport broke the game open in the fourth inning. Spencer Sullivan delivered a two-run single to right field, and Carlos Sanchez followed with a two-run double down the right field line. Sanchez later stole home, capping a five-run frame that pushed the Pilots' lead to 9–1.

Texas A&M–Texarkana responded in the fifth inning with three runs. James Provencio singled through the left side to score Ahmar Donatto, and Tanner Duncan followed with a two-RBI single that plated Provencio and Jayce Blalock, trimming the deficit to 9–4.

LSU Shreveport answered immediately in the sixth. Evan Gant singled up the middle and Carlos Vega followed with a single before Rodrigo Bravo drove in both runners with a single to right field, extending the lead to 11–4.

The Eagles added two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the margin to 11–6, but the Pilots continued to apply pressure late. Makana Olaso singled to left center in the eighth to score Vega, and LSU Shreveport broke things open in the ninth. Vega drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run, and Nazir Mendez delivered the decisive blow with a grand slam, scoring Vega, Evan Gant, and Sanchez to seal the 17–6 victory.

The Pilots' offense was fueled by production throughout the lineup. Carlos Sanchez led the way, going 4-for-6 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Carlos Vega finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and four runs. Spencer Sullivan added two hits, two RBIs, and two runs, and Dorien Jackson contributed a two-run home run. Rodrigo Bravo drove in two runs, and Nazir Mendez made the most of his lone at-bat with a grand slam for four RBIs.

For Texas A&M–Texarkana, Austin Kerns went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, Tanner Duncan recorded two RBIs, and Tobin Jones added a home run with one RBI and one run scored.

Calvin Shepard (3–1) earned the win in a starting role, tossing 2.1 innings while allowing four hits and one run. Tanner Duncan (4–3) took the loss for the Eagles, going two innings and allowing five hits, three runs, one walk, and one home run.

2026 RRAC Baseball All-Tournament Team

• OF – Evan Gant (LSU Shreveport)
• OF – Tobin Jones (Texas A&M–Texarkana)
• OF – Spencer Sullivan (LSU Shreveport)
• 1B – Jack Kalisky (Our Lady of the Lake)
• 2B – Carlos Sanchez (LSU Shreveport)
• 3B – Carlos Vega (LSU Shreveport)
• SS – Ahmar Donatto (Texas A&M–Texarkana)
• SP – Brock Lucas (LSU Shreveport)
• SP – Jonathan Jones (Texas A&M–Victoria)
• RP – Camden Stephens (LSU Shreveport)
• C – Makana Olaso (LSU Shreveport)

Hustle Award: Ahmar Donatto (Texas A&M–Texarkana)
Gold Glove Award: Carlos Vega (LSU Shreveport)
Most Valuable Player: Brock Lucas (LSU Shreveport)

LSU Shreveport was well represented on the All-Tournament Team, with Evan Gant, Spencer Sullivan, Carlos Sanchez, Carlos Vega, Brock Lucas, Camden Stephens, and Makana Olaso earning selections. Vega also picked up the tournament's Gold Glove Award, while Lucas was named the Most Valuable Player after anchoring the Pilots' championship run.

With the RRAC Tournament title secured, LSU Shreveport now looks toward the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round, set for May 11–14, as the Pilots host the Shreveport Bracket at Pilot Field.

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