SHREVEPORT, La. — The University of the Southwest Mustangs saw their postseason run come to a close this week at the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament, falling in back‑to‑back games against LSU Shreveport on Friday and Saturday at Pilot Field.
Game One: USW 0, LSUS 10
Southwest opened tournament play Friday afternoon and faced a tough challenge against the tournament's top seed. LSU Shreveport jumped out to an early lead and carried momentum throughout the game, handing the Mustangs a loss in the opening round.
Despite the result, Southwest continued to compete across all seven innings, working counts at the plate and battling defensively. The Mustangs put runners on base throughout the contest but were unable to string together hits against a strong LSU Shreveport pitching effort.
Game Two: USW 7, LSUS 8 (11 Inn.)
Needing a win to keep their season alive, the Mustangs responded with a determined effort Friday, pushing the Pilots into extra innings in an elimination game that stretched late into the afternoon.
Southwest traded momentum with LSU Shreveport throughout the game, answering scoring runs and refusing to let the Pilots pull away. A late rally by the Mustangs forced extra innings and extended the contest beyond regulation, keeping tournament hopes alive deep into the game.
LSU Shreveport ultimately secured the walk‑off score in the bottom of the 11th inning, ending Southwest's tournament run.
Head Coach Steve Appel
"It's never easy coming to Shreveport and playing LSUS, however I thought our guys battled until the very end. We didn't play our best baseball on day one and it was great seeing the guys respond the way they did. I wouldn't expect anything different from a bunch of guys who wear the Southwest jersey. Overall it was not the best season, but God has a plan and has a reason for everything. These guys, including myself and the coaches will have things we can learn from going in to next fall.
I am honored to coach all the seniors that continue to give this program their all year after year. They are a true testament of what good people should be like. We, of course, want to win baseball games, but the ultimate goal is to prepare them for life. These guys have become men and will be great people in the world! I thank them for everything and love them all! Thank you again seniors for a great ride. On to the next chapter. "
The Mustangs wrap up the season showing resilience and fight, closing the RRAC Tournament with a hard‑fought extra‑inning battle against one of the conference's top programs. Southwest's postseason effort highlighted the team's competitiveness and resolve as they represented the program on the conference stage.
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