NAIA
[Baseball] PILOT PREVIEW: LSUS BASEBALL 2021 SEASON OUTLOOK
A LOOK BACK AT 2020LSUS baseball returns to the diamond in 2021 after having a sensational season cut short in 2020. The Pilots finished 2020 on a seven-game winning streak with an overall record of 22-4 and a #6 ranking in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll. The Pilots were 17-1 in games played at Pilot Field and were 7-1 in the Red River when the season was called to an end due to COVID. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf returns for his second season at the helm of the Pilots after a great debut in year one. He has added two new faces to his coaching staff with assistants Steven Brown and Jeff Chapuran.The Pilots were ranked in the top 10 in stolen bases (3rd, 93), steal attempts per game (4th, 4.53), stolen bases per game (5th, 3.57), strikeouts (8th, 232) and batting average (9th, .342). COMPLETE 2020 STATSShreveport's speed was a big factor in winning games last year as they tormented opposing catchers with 93 stolen bases as a team. The Pilots leader was Payton Robertson who stole 28 bags in just 26 games.2021 SEASON OUTLOOKThe Pilots open the 2021 campaign ranked #6 again in the Top 25 Poll while also being picked to win the Red River in the pre-season conference coaches poll. Shreveport will look to build off of their momentum from a season ago as they finished as one of the top teams in the nation in multiple statistical categories. The Pilots returners will be key in maintaining and growing the momentum from last season.Shreveport will open their season hosting Tabor and Freed-Hardeman for a weekend series at Pilot Field beginning 2/4. VIEW 2021 SEASON SCHEDULEKEY RETURNERSPAYTON ROBERTSON – Robertson, a senior infielder from Orange, TX, was selected as a NAIA Preseason All-American for the second consecutive season. Robertson was on his way to another RRAC Player of the Year award last year before the shutdown. He finished the year with a .351/.447/474 slash line that included two homeruns, 17 RBI, 20 runs, and 28 stolens bases.RYNE RAY – Ray is the Pilot's do-it-all player who has found himself at multiple positions in a LSUS uniform. The catcher/infielder/outfielder from Shreveport, LA led the Pilots with 30 RBI in 2020. He produced a .352/.449/.563 line that was supported by three homeruns, six doubles, 12 walks and the team-high 30 RBI.KEVIN MIRANDA – Miranda, a junior right-handed pitcher, logged the second most innings for the Pilots in 2020 with 26.2 innings pitched. He finished the year with four wins, which was also second best for the Pilots. He finished 4-1 with 29 strikeouts and one shutout along with a .255 batting average against a 4.35 ERA.