Southeast Arkansas College pulled the plug early on its inaugural softball season.
In a news release, the college cited “unforeseen circumstances, including injuries and roster challenges” in announcing its decision to suspend the remainder of the 2024 season. The Sharks last played Feb. 27 in a home doubleheader against Northwest Mississippi Community College and finished the season 4-13, having lost their last six games. They had 30 games remaining.
The injuries and roster challenges, according to SEARK, “have resulted in falling below minimum requirements needed to compete effectively and safely.” While those minimum requirements were not specified, the team’s roster listed 15 players.
“Injury has had a substantial impact on the Sharks this season, forcing players into positions they would not normally play,” the news release continues. “Following consultation with the coaching staff and student-athletes, the SEARK College Athletic Department made the difficult decision to suspend play in an abundance of caution for player safety.”
SEARK Athletic Director Chad Kline said in the release: “Our student-athletes’ safety and wellbeing is of utmost importance. With recent injuries and roster limitations posing significant obstacles, it is in their best interests for us to put a halt to their season in order to reduce risks further while guaranteeing long-term health of athletes.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Attempts to reach Kline and softball coach Belinda Hendrix for further comment have been unsuccessful.
SEARK stated it is working with the National Junior College Athletic Association to address player eligibility concerns, as well as plans for the 2025 season.
“SEARK remains committed to supporting its athletes as they strive for continued success both on and off the field,” the release concludes.
BASEBALL
North Arkansas sweeps SEARK
SEARK’s offense was limited in a weekend baseball series at home.
North Arkansas College swept SEARK with a 6-5 win Saturday, then 5-3 and 4-1 wins in a Sunday doubleheader. The Sharks (11-19) have now lost eight in a row after stringing together five wins.
After taking a 1-0 lead early in the first game Sunday, North Arkansas plated 2 runs in the second inning and 3 in the third. The Sharks pulled within 2 runs in the fifth but could produce no more offense.
Wyatt Darby went 3 for 3 with 2 runs batted in and 2 runs scored for SEARK. He smashed a home run in the fifth inning.
Diego Garcia went 2 for 4 for the Sharks.
Five players took the mound for SEARK. Yed Batista was charged with the 5 earned runs on 4 hits in 2 1/3innings and took the loss.
Will Beckham was 3 for 3 with 3 RBI for North Arkansas. His 3-run homer in the third helped the Pioneers take charge.
Gunner Pace scattered 8 hits and 3 earned runs over 7 innings for the win.
The Pioneers took a 3-0 lead after three innings of Sunday’s second game. The Sharks sent a run across in the sixth thanks to an RBI double by Drake Lee, who went 2 for 3, but the Pioneers tacked on a run in the seventh.
Cameron Gonzalez and Erik Heiken each went 2 for 3 as well for the Sharks. Garrett Folmar allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits in 5 innings, suffering the loss.
Jackson Rains went 3 for 4 — doubling twice — and Beckham was 2 for 4 for North Arkansas. Hayden Thompson struck out 9 and allowed an earned run on 7 hits in 6 2/3 innings for the win.
Weevils going for sweep of Bisons
The University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team has righted the ship after a 3-game skid and put itself in position to score a Great American Conference sweep of Harding University in Monticello.
UAM won a Sunday doubleheader, 13-2 and 3-1. The final game was being contested Monday.
UAM (11-8, 9-2 Great American) scored 5 runs each in the fifth and seventh to pull away from the Bisons (12-8, 6-5). Chaz Poppy homered twice, scoring 2 runs on a fourth-inning shot and making a grand slam in the fifth.
Brodie Romero also laced a home run in the win. Connor Irvine struck out 6 and allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits for the 7-inning win.
Wesley Featherston laced a solo homer in the fifth for Harding.
In Game 2, Noah Estrem hit a solo homer in the fourth to give the Boll Weevils a 2-0 lead. Maxim Mrackovic struck out 7 and allowed 1 run over 2 hits in 6 innings for the win.
The Weevils will take on Delta State University in a single game starting at 5 p.m. today.
UAM’s softball team was swept over the weekend at Harding and will visit Southern Arkansas University for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. today.