UAM takes series at Ouachita; Early breaks record
UAM Sports
Devon Lucal, Sports Information Director
ARKADELPHIA — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team swept the day against Ouachita Baptist to claim the overall series at 3-1, and Alvy Early recorded his 1,162 career victory as a head coach to break the state of Arkansas all-time collegiate wins record.
The record, formerly held by former University of Arkansas Razorback head baseball coach Norm DeBriyn (1,161 wins), was surpassed by Early Saturday after the UAM Softball defeated Ouachita for the second time this afternoon to push his overall head coaching win total to 1,162, which is the most all-time in the state of Arkansas by a college coach in all sports, and in all divisions.
Early complied victories for Arkansas-Monticello first beginning in 1979 as the head coach of the UAM women’s basketball team in which his career spanned from 1979-2000 totaling a record of 425-211.
Alvy found success as the head coach of the Blossom Softball team beginning in 1997, as he currently has tallied an overall record in the sport at 737-411-2, for an overall win total of 1,162 in his career. Coach Early is also the all-time winningest coach in both women’s basketball and softball at the University of Arkansas at Monticello as well.
A celebration of this recording breaking accomplishment will be held for Coach Early on Saturday, April 29 at Blossoms Field during the last home game of the season as well, with more details to follow in the coming weeks.
Game three of this series between Arkansas-Monticello (28-12, 21-7 GAC) and the Tigers of Ouachita (16-26, 10-20 GAC) featured a pitchers duel as the teams only combined for seven total hits.
McKenzie Rice drove in the sole run in the contest on a single up the middle in the top of the fifth inning which sealed the game in the Blossoms favor at 1-0.
Kendra Coleman (W, 17-3) picked up her 17th win on the season, throwing a complete game shutout, and tallied five strikeouts.
The second match-up of the afternoon saw each team going back-and-forth offensively throughout its entirety with UAM getting onto the board first with a Coleman RBI single to left field.
Brittany Gentry and Rice each provide RBI hits later in this ballgame, and Korie Parker and Kendra Coleman each contributed the power as both recorded home-runs to help fuel UAM to the 7-5 victory.
Sara Squires (W, 1-0) notched her first victory on the year as she threw 1.1 innings, and Kaylee Freeman (S, 1) who started the game, re-entered to throw in the bottom of the 7th and record her first save on the season as well.
The Blossoms will return to action next on Friday, April 14 as UAM travels to Russellville, Arkansas to face Arkansas Tech in a four-game series with game one slated for a 3 p.m. start time.