LSU Shreveport Undefeated Baseball Team Named 2025 Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year

SHREVEPORT, La. (Sept. 4, 2025) – The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl annually awards the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Award to some of the greatest athletes and sports figures from the local area who shine a light on Shreveport-Bossier City through their contributions on and off the field, and the 2025 recipients of the award, announced on September 4, exemplify the very spirit of the award – the LSU Shreveport baseball team.

“Our program is extremely honored to receive yet another award for our amazing success this past year. Being named the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl’s Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year as a team is an unbelievable honor that we are extremely grateful for,” said Pilots Head Coach Brad Neffendorf. “We had a special group of players, coaches, and staff, but the support within our University and the City of Shreveport was second to none.”

“I’m excited and thankful for our baseball team to receive this recognition,” said LSUS Athletics Director Lucas Morgan. “There have been some incredible recipients of this award historically, so for us to be recognized with this is a great honor. Thank you to the committee for selecting us.”  

The Pilots became the first team in college baseball history to finish undefeated, as they were crowned champions at the 2025 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series with a perfect 59-0 record on the season. LSUS Baseball posted a 47-0 regular season record – including 30-0 in Red River Athletic Conference (RRCA) play – and swept through postseason play to complete the perfect season. Their 59-game win streak, which has a chance to be extended at the start of the 2026 season, is the longest in college baseball history.

“Our Awards Committee quickly came to a unanimous decision when they met to honor the LSUS Baseball team with the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year,” said Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Executive Director Missy Setters. “Their historic season and accomplishments became a tremendous national story, and we are so proud of the way the team shone a bright light on our community, which is what this award is all about.”

The accolades and awards have been rolling in for the student-athletes, coaches and team as a whole. The Pilots finished No. 1 in the final NAIA Baseball Coaches’ Poll, and they were ranked No. 1 in every NAIA Top 25 Poll from start to finish. Seven student-athletes were named First Team All-RRAC, three were named Second-Team All-RRAC and five were named NAIA All-Americans. Six Pilots were also RRAC Gold Glove selections, and shortstop Jose Sallorin earned the 2025 ABCA-Rawlings NAIA Gold Glove Award. Right-handed pitcher Isaac Rohde was named the 2025 ABCA/Rawlings NAIA Pitcher of the Year, and nine student-athletes were named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) All-Louisiana teams.

Neffendorf has collected nine individual awards to date, as he has been named the ABCA/ATEC National Coach of the Year, College Baseball Foundation Skip Bertman Coach of the Year, Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Coach of the Year, Perfect Game Collegiate National Coach of the Year, ABCA/ATEC Regional Coach of the Year, NAIA Ball National Coach of the Year, RRAC Coach of the Year, Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year and Rawlings-NAIA Coach of the Year.

Statistically, the Pilots put on a clinic this season. They limited opponents to a .192 batting average and recorded a .982 fielding percentage – both national records. Offensively, they notched two program records by posting a .493 on-base percentage, which ranked second in the nation, and a .601 slugging percentage, which ranked fifth. They also broke program records for runs scored (665), RBI (614) and walks (388).

The 2025 undefeated LSUS Baseball team joins an esteemed list to have been honored with this award – including MLB players Seth Lugo (2024), Scott Baker (2007) and Todd Walker (1998); NFL players Joe Delaney (2021), Dak Prescott (2019), Morris Claiborne (2013) and Arnaz Battle (2002); professional golfers Sam Burns (2014), David Toms (1997) and Hal Sutton (1983); and sportscasters Bob Griffin (2000) and Tim Brando (1992). 

The team will be honored at the 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/Tickets. There is a variety of ticket packages available – including individual tickets, group tickets, Pizza Hut Family 4-Packs, Small Business Fan Packs and more. For ticketing questions, fans can email info@independencebowl.org or call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at (318) 221-0712.

For information on Independence Stadium rules and the clear bag policy, please visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/stadium-rules. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.com to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game. The 49th edition will kick off on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. CST on ESPN. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. The bowl’s conference and television agreements also run through the 2025 bowl game. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.