JOURNAL SPORTS

LSU Shreveport evened the score when it mattered most Sunday, using timely hitting and a decisive eighth-inning outburst fueled by Spencer Sullivan and Carlos Sanchez to defeat regular-season Red River Athletic Conference champion Texas A&M-Victoria, 8-5.

The Jaguars (36-14) swept the regular-season three-game series with the visiting Pilots and won the RRAC championship by one game. But Sunday’s loss sidelined them from the tournament, although they will reach the NAIA Opening Round bracket next week.

Saturday, the Pilots (40-12) got a complete game five-hitter from Brock Lucas and topped Texas A&M-Texarkana 5-1. Those teams meet today at 1 at Pilot Field with Texarkana needing two wins to capture the tournament crown, while LSUS earns it with one victory.

The defending national champion Pilots already have been granted access to next weekend’s NAIA Opening Round as regional hosts.

Sunday, Texas A&M-Victoria struck first in the opening inning for a 1-0 lead. LSUS answered in the second inning when Quaterrion Walton delivered an RBI single up the middle.

The Pilots broke on top in the fourth with a four-run inning. Dorien Jackson delivered a two-run single to center. Carlos Sanchez followed with an RBI single to give LSUS a 5-1 advantage.

The Jaguars responded immediately with a four-run rally to tie the game.

In the bottom of the eighth, Sullivan broke the deadlock with a two-run single. Sanchez followed with another RBI to extend the lead to 8-5.

Camden Stephens earned the win after working in relief as the Pilots mounted their go-ahead rally.