Eagles Battle Hard in Tough Series Against Undefeated LSUS Pilots

SHREVEPORT, La. - Texas A&M University-Texarkana Baseball traveled to Shreveport to face off against the #1 Pilots of LSU-Shreveport for a three game RRAC series. Due to weather conditions the series was rearranged with the doubleheader to be played last Friday and the final game took place last night at Pilot Field. The Eagles came into this three-game series against undefeated LSU Shreveport with grit and ambition, but the weekend proved a test of endurance, execution, and resilience.

Game 1: Pilots 6, Eagles 4
The Texas A&M–Texarkana Eagles showed grit and resilience in the series opener against the undefeated LSUS Pilots, pushing the visitors to the brink in a hard-fought 6–4 contest. After falling behind early, the Eagles battled back with a late surge, sparked by a sixth-inning rally that included a Freddie Madera single and a clutch two-RBI double from Joey Spence. Conner Owens added to the charge with a towering two-run home run in the seventh, cutting into the Pilots' lead and energizing the Eagles' dugout.

Starter Gage Mason settled in after a rocky start, while the bullpen duo of Camden Gamble and Ken Busby delivered a lockdown performance over the final four frames, surrendering just two runs and keeping the Eagles within striking distance. Though the comeback ultimately fell short, Texarkana's late-game push showed this team's never-quit mentality and ability to go toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the conference.

Game 2: Pilots 16, Eagles 0
Despite the final score, the Eagles refused to go quietly in Game 2 of the series. Adam Garren turned in a strong individual performance, going 2-for-3 at the plate and giving the home crowd something to cheer about. However, LSUS starting pitcher Draven Zeigler was in rare form, delivering a complete game shutout and keeping the Eagles' bats from stringing together offense.

The Eagles pitching staff ran into a red-hot LSUS lineup, with the Pilots capitalizing on nearly every opportunity. While the game got away early, the Eagles used the opportunity to get valuable experience for several arms out of the bullpen and prepare for a stronger showing in the series finale.

Game 3: Pilots 7, Eagles 4
Game 3 offered a glimpse of just how competitive the Texas A&M–Texarkana Eagles can be when firing on all cylinders. Starter Harrison Barnett delivered a gutsy performance on the mound, going six innings and limiting the Pilots to one big inning of offense—the third. Outside of that frame, Barnett was in control, showcasing poise and pitch command that kept TAMUT in the game.

Offensively, the Eagles responded with tenacity. Gabe Baker and Freddie Madera each went 2-for-4, helping the Eagles chip away and enter the late innings down just one run. With momentum building and the crowd behind them, the Eagles were on the verge of a comeback. A tough break in the eighth—an opposite-field single with the bases loaded—allowed LSUS to tack on two more, putting the game just out of reach.

Still, the Eagles walked away from the series with plenty of positives, especially their ability to challenge a top-tier opponent deep into the final game. With their grit, talent, and depth, Texas A&M–Texarkana proved they're a force to be reckoned with moving forward.

Up Next

The Eagles will host the Saints of Our Lady of the Lake this weekend at George Dobson Field in Spring Lake Park for a three game RRAC series. Game one will take place Friday night at 6 p.m. with games two and three to be played on Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.