Arkansas Tech's Karleskint heading to Central Missouri
Arkansas Tech men's basketball Coach Doug Karleskint resigned Monday to take the head coaching position at Central Missouri, the school announced Monday in a release.
Karleskint, who led Arkansas Tech to a 90-34 record in four seasons and won or shared a conference title and qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament each season, will be introduced as Central Missouri's new coach today. He will replace Kim Anderson, who guided the Mules to the Division II national championship before accepting the head coaching position at Missouri last month.
"We are obviously saddened to lose a coach and person the caliber of Doug Karleskint," said Arkansas Tech Athletic Director Steve Mullins in a statement. "He played a huge role in putting Wonder Boys basketball on the map both as an assistant coach and as the head coach, and we will always be thankful for his contributions to Arkansas Tech University."
Karleskint was Mark Downey's top assistant in 2009-2010 before Downey left for the University of Charleston. He also served as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin for two seasons.
The Wonder Boys finished 21-10 overall and 15-5 in the Great American Conference this past season. Arkansas Tech lost to Central Missouri 56-44 in the opening round of the NCAA Central Region in March.
-- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
BASEBALL
UCA's Votolato named to Southland first team
Central Arkansas senior center fielder Doug Votolato was named to the Southland Conference's first team Monday.
Senior right-hander Bryce Biggerstaff was a third-team selection while second baseman Chris Townsend was an honorable mention selection.
Votolato is batting a team-high .377, which ranks second in the Southand. He has 75 hits which is the fourth-best single-season total in UCA history. Votolato leads the Southland in stolen bases (22), ranks second in on-base percentage (.459), tied for fourth in runs scored (47) and sixth in hits.
Biggerstaff is 6-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 12 starts. He has won his past three starts, all complete games, heading into the Southland Tournament.
Townsend, a sophomore, is batting .280 with a team-high 38 RBI. He has also hit 1 home run, 8 doubles and 2 triples.
The Bears, who have won six consecutive, are the No. 6 seed in this week's Southland Tournament, which begins Wednesday at Bear Stadium in Conway. UCA opens tournament play against No. 3 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Sam Houston State catcher Anthony Azar was named Southland player of the year. Lamar senior shortstop Sam Bumpers earned the conference's hitter of the year award while Nicholls State senior left-hander Taylor Byrd was named pitcher of the year. Oral Roberts right-hander Jordan Romano was named the conference's top relief pitcher and Southeastern Louisiana junior outfielder Andrew Godbold earned the newcomer of the year award.
Northwestern (La.) State right-hander Adam Oller was named freshman of the year. Nicholls State Coach Seth Thibodeaux won the coach of the year award for the first time.
Sports on 05/20/2014