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Southern Arkansas Muleriders baseball

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The Southern Arkansas Mulerider baseball team represents Southern Arkansas University in NCAA Division II college baseball. SAU has competed in the Great American Conference (GAC) since 2011.[2] Prior to joining the GAC, SAU competed in the NAIA's Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference from 1950 until moving to the NCAA in 1996. Upon moving to the NCAA, SAU competed in the Western Division of the Gulf South Conference from 1996–2011. The Muleriders play their home games on campus at Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field. Justin Pettigrew is the current head coach.

Southern Arkansas Muleriders
Founded1950 (1950)
UniversitySouthern Arkansas University
Head coachJustin Pettigrew (6th season)
ConferenceGreat American
LocationMagnolia, Arkansas
Home stadiumGoodheart Field at Walker Stadium
(Capacity: 1,000)
NicknameMuleriders
ColorsRoyal blue and gold[1]
   
College World Series appearances
NAIA: 1983,1987,1991 NCAA: 2022
NCAA Tournament appearances
2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023
Conference tournament champions
GSC: 2006,2009, 2011
GAC: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2023
Regular season conference champions
AIC: 1953, 1954, 1956, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995
GSC: 2009, 2010
GAC: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023

History

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Southern Arkansas was founded in 1909 as the Third District Agricultural School and fielded its first baseball team as early as 1911.[3] After sporadic success of the first 60 years of the programs, Coach Steve Goodheart was named head coach in 1981 and quickly took SAU to new heights. Not only did he lead SAU to nine Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference championships, he oversaw SAU's transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II ranks. SAU has won 23 conference regular seasons championships (17 – AIC, 2 – GSC, 4 – GAC), seven conference tournament championships (3 – GSC, 4 – GAC), made three NAIA world series appearances including a third-place finish in 1987, and 11 NCAA Division II Regional appearances.

Pre-NCAA years

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For many years SAU fielded a two-year baseball program before joining the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. The now defunct Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference featured NAIA schools in Arkansas from the 1940s through 1995. Conference members included Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Hendrix College, Lyon College (Arkansas College), Ouachita Baptist University, Southern Arkansas University (Southern State College), University of Arkansas at Monticello (Arkansas A&M), University of Central Arkansas, and the University of the Ozarks (College of the Ozarks). At least three Southern Arkansas University Sports Hall of Fame members served as coach of the Mulerider baseball team in this era. Coach Sam Bailey coached the Muleriders to a 41–36 record from 1951–1956.[4] Dr. Delwin T. Ross was the coach from 1957–1967.[5]

The Seventies

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Monroe Ingram coached baseball and basketball at SAU. Ingram's baseball teams produced a record of 107–86 and won AIC Championships in 1974, 1975, and 1977.[6] Following Ingram as Head Coach of the Muleriders was Dr. Jack Harrington. Harrington was the coach of the ‘Riders from 1977–1980 and finished his career with a record of 56–53. All three of Dr. Harrington's teams finished in 2nd place in the AIC with 9–5 conference records.[7] Following Dr. Harrington, Steve Goodheart, one of Coach Ingram's former players and assistant coaches was named Head Coach after the 1980 season and proceeded to take SAU's baseball program to new heights.

The Steve Goodheart era

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Walker Stadium

Athletic Director W.T. Watson hired Southern Arkansas graduate and University of Arizona Graduate Assistant Steve Goodheart as Head Coach in 1980.[8] Goodheart was a four-year letter winner at SAU from 1973-1976 and was a student assistant at SAU in 1977. SAU won AIC Championships in 1974 and 1975 while Goodheart was a player, as well as 1977 when Goodheart was a student assistant. Following the 1977 season, Goodheart spent one year as the head coach of Camden, Arkansas' Camden Fairview High School. In 1979 Goodheart went to the University of Arizona where he served as a Graduate Assistant. The 1980 Arizona Wildcats baseball team won the College World Series.

Goodheart retired in 2003 as the winningest coach in school history. With a record of 764 wins, 406 losses, and 5 ties, good for a .647 winning percentage, Goodheart is the second-winningest baseball coach in Arkansas history behind former University of Arkansas coach Norm DeBriyn’s 1,161 wins.

Goodheart won 19 championships during his career at SAU. As head coach, his Muleriders were AIC champions in 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1995. Three of his SAU teams made appearances in the NAIA World Series (1983, 1987, 1991). The 1987 team finished third in the World Series with a record of 46–7. Goodheart's teams also won six district titles and 2 area titles. According to a press release when Goodheart was elected into the Southern Arkansas University Sports Hall of Fame:

“More than 50 of Goodheart’s former players have signed to play professional baseball. He has coached 54 first-team All-AIC players, 26 first-team NAIA District 17 players, five NAIA All-Area players, 12 NAIA Southwest Region selections, 17 NAIA All-Americans, one NAIA Academic All-American, two Cliff Shaw Scholar-Athlete Award winners, 33 All-Gulf South Conference choices, 10 NCAA All-South Central Region selections, and two NCAA All-Americans.”[9]

Perhaps the most important accomplishment of Goodheart's career was overseeing SAU's transition from NAIA to the NCAA ranks. Not only were Goodheart's teams able to make the jump, the teams proceeded to win at an even higher level.

The Allen Gum era

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Former Mulerider Allen Gum was named head coach prior to the 2006 season.[10] The next five years saw SAU reach a new level of success that included five NCAA Division II Regional appearances, 24 weeks ranked number 1, a first-round draft pick, and SAU's only two Gulf South Conference titles. Gum left SAU to become the Head Coach at the University of Central Arkansas following the 2010 season. Gum finished his SAU career with a record of 226 wins and 68 losses. His career .769 winning percentage is second best in Gulf South Conference history and the best in SAU baseball history.[11]

Despite consistently finishing near the top of the Western Division, 2006 was a banner year for the SAU baseball program. Finishing the season at 40–18 SAU won the Gulf South Conference tournament for the first time. The 2006 season began a stretch of five consecutive seasons with 40+ wins. In 2008, the Muleriders reached the number 1 ranking for the first time in school history and made it to the semi-finals of the South Central regional.

The 2009 season was one of the most successful seasons in school history. The only team to break the 50 win plateau, SAU finished the season 52–11, won their first GSC Western Division Title, won the Gulf South Conference Tournament for a second time, and hosted the NCAA South Regional for the first time in school history. The 2010 squad entered the season with similar expectations. The Muleriders proceeded to repeat as GSC Western Division winners before losing in the Gulf Southern Conference Tournament title game to Valdosta State. SAU made it to the NCAA South Regional finals before losing to Regional host University of Tampa. SAU finished 2010 with a record of 47–10 and saw four Muleriders drafted in the MLB draft, while two more signed free agent professional contracts.

The Steve Browning era

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Steve Browning's relationship with SAU baseball began in 1998 when he played for former coach Steve Goodheart. Following several years as a student/graduate assistant and assistant coach, Athletic Director Jay Adcox named Browning the head coach of the Muleriders in June 2010.[12]

Mulerider baseball has proven to be in good hands under Coach Browning. In 2011, SAU's last season in the Gulf South Conference, the Muleriders finished 36–16, winning the GSC tournament and making the NCAA South Regional. In their first year competing in the newly-formed Great American Conference, SAU continued their championship tradition. Finishing the season with a record of 37–17, SAU won both the regular season and tournament championship and made their fifth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance.[13]

Due to the success of his baseball program, as well as his relationship with the university, Dr. David Rankin named Coach Browning as Athletic Director on July 1, 2012.[14]

 
Muleriders baseball players in 2013

Browning won his 100th game as the Mulerider's Head Coach with a 12–3 victory over East Central University on April 6, 2013.[15]

The Muleriders won their third consecutive (2nd in the GAC) conference tournament title and their fourth in five years with an 11–2 victory over UAM on May 7, 2013.[16]

Following the 2016 season, Browning retired from coaching to become the full-time Athletics Director role at SAU. He finished his career as SAU's baseball coach with a 224–107 record.

The Justin Pettigrew era

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Following 11 years as a top assistant at SAU, Justin Pettigrew was elevated to Head Coach on May 9, 2016.[17]

Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field

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Right field view

Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field is a baseball stadium located in Magnolia, Arkansas. It is the home field for the Southern Arkansas Mulerider baseball team. Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field consists of grandstand seating built into a hill behind homeplate as well as grass seating down the lines. Due to the prolonged success of Mulerider Baseball, SAU opened a completely remodeled facility that included new coaches’ offices, locker rooms, concession stands, restrooms and press box during the 2011 baseball season. The capacity is approximately 1000. Field dimensions are 350–410–340. The field is named for former coach Steve Goodheart. The stadium is named after the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.[18]

In 2010 Southern Arkansas moved in the Top Ten in NCAA Division II average home attendance with 4,890 fans attending the 14 games. The average attendance of 349 fans was good for eighth in the NCAA.[19]

Head coaches

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  • Records are for coaches from 1950 through present
Tenure Coach Years Record Pct. Championships
1950 Ralph Ross 1 2–7–0 .222 0
1951–1956 Sam Bailey 5 41–36–0 .532 3
1957–1967 Dr. Delwin T. Ross 11 60–129–1 .320 0
1968–1970 Bob Staten 3 43–38–0 .530 1
1971–1977 Monroe Ingram 7 107–86–0 .554 3
1978–1980 Dr. Jack Harrington 3 56–53–0 .513 0
1981–2003 Steve Goodheart 23 764–406–5 .647 9
2004–2005 Mike Godfrey 2 79–40–0 .664 0
2006-2010 Allen Gum 5 226–68–0 .769 3
2011–2016 Steve Browning 6 224–107–0 .678 5
2017–present Justin Pettigrew 6 204-84 .703 4
Totals 17 coaches 72 1,806–1,054–6 .630 28

Year-by-year results

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*November 16, 2020.
*Final Rankings are from Collegiate Baseball Division II Final Polls (1988–2013)[20]

Championships

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Conference Championships

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Conference affiliations:

Year Conference Coach Overall Record
1953† AIC Sam Bailey 6–4
1954† AIC Sam Bailey 9–1
1956 AIC Sam Bailey 11–6
1968 AIC Bob Staten 16–10
1974† AIC Monroe Ingram 16–14
1975 AIC Monroe Ingram 19–8
1977 AIC Monroe Ingram 19–11
1983 AIC Steve Goodheart 37–13
1986 AIC Steve Goodheart 36–12
1987 AIC Steve Goodheart 47–6
1988 AIC Steve Goodheart 43–13
1989 AIC Steve Goodheart 33–23–1
1990 AIC Steve Goodheart 27–23
1991 AIC Steve Goodheart 44–15–1
1992 AIC Steve Goodheart 35–26
1994 AIC Steve Goodheart 41–16–1
1995 AIC Steve Goodheart 40–14
2009 GSC Allen Gum 52–11
2010 GSC Allen Gum 47–10
2012 GAC Steve Browning 37–17
2013 GAC Steve Browning 42–17
2015 GAC Steve Browning 40–18
2017 GAC Justin Pettigrew 39–14
2021† GAC Justin Pettigrew 30–16
2022 GAC Justin Pettigrew 46–11
Total Conference Championships: 25 (17 AIC, 2 GSC, 6 GAC)
† Denotes co-champions

Conference Tournament Championships

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SAU leaves the field after winning the 2023 GAC Tournament

Conference affiliations:

Year Conference Coach Overall Record
2006 GSC Allen Gum 40–18
2009 GSC Allen Gum 52–11
2011 GSC Steve Browning 36–16
2012 GAC Steve Browning 37–17
2013 GAC Steve Browning 42–17
2014 GAC Steve Browning 38–17
2015 GAC Steve Browning 40–18
2018 GAC Justin Pettigrew 41–19
2022 GAC Justin Pettigrew 46-11
Total Conference Tournament Championships: 9 (3 GSC, 6 GAC)

NAIA Championships

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NAIA World Series Appearances

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Year Coach Overall Record
1983 Steve Goodheart 37–13
1987 Steve Goodheart 46–7
1991 Steve Goodheart 44–15–1
Total World Series Appearances: 3

NAIA Area Championships

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Year Area Coach Overall Record
1983 Area 5 Steve Goodheart 37–13
1991 Area 5 Steve Goodheart 44–15–1
Total Area Championships: 2

NAIA District Championships

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Year District Coach Overall Record
1983 District 17 Steve Goodheart 37–13
1987 District 17 Steve Goodheart 46–7
1988 District 17 Steve Goodheart 43–13
1989 District 17 Steve Goodheart 33–32–1
1991 District 17 Steve Goodheart 44–15–1
1992 District 17 Steve Goodheart 35–26
1994 District 17 Steve Goodheart 41–16–1
1995 District 17 Steve Goodheart 40–14
Total District Championships: 8

NCAA tournament

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SAU in the NCAA tournament

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  • SAU began participating in NCAA Division II Baseball in 1996.
  • The format of the tournament has changed through the years.
Year Record Pct Notes
2004 2–2 .500 Eliminated by Delta State Statesmen in the South-Central Regional Finals
2006 2–2 .500 Eliminated by Montevallo Falcons in the South-Central Regional Semi-Finals
2008 2–2 .500 Eliminated by Delta State Statesmen in the South-Central Regional Semi-Finals
2009 3–2 .600 Eliminated by Florida Southern Moccasins in the South Regional Semi-Finals
2010 4–2 .667 Eliminated by Tampa Spartans in the South Regional Finals
2011 0–2 .000 Eliminated by Tampa Spartans in the South Regional Second Round
2012 1–2 .333 Eliminated by Central Missouri Mules in the South Regional Quarter-Finals
2013 2–2 .500 Eliminated by St. Cloud State Huskies in the Central Regional Semi-Finals
2014 1–2 .333 Eliminated by Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys in the Central Regional Quarter-Finals.
2015 1–2 .333 Eliminated by St. Cloud State Huskies in the Central Regional Quarter-Finals.
2017 0–2 .000 Eliminated by University of Arkansas at Monticello in the Central Regional Second Round.
2018 5–2 .714 Eliminated by Augustana University Vikings in the Central Regional Finals.
2021 3–2 .600 Eliminated by Central Missouri Mules in the Central Regional Finals.
2022 5–0 1.000
Total 31–26 .544

NCAA World Series Appearances

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Year Coach Overall Record
2022 Justin Pettigrew 46–11
Total World Series Appearances: 1

References

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  1. ^ "Colors". Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  2. ^ "The Great American Conference". Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "TDAS Early History". Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  4. ^ "Mulerider Athletics Hall of Fame Induction". Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  5. ^ "Dr. Delwin T. Ross". Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  6. ^ "Monroe Ingram". Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "Jack Harrington". Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "SAU hires Goodheart". Archived from the original on March 20, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  9. ^ "Goodheart Inducted into Hall of Fame" (PDF). Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  10. ^ Jameson, Harold. "Gum Named Mulerider Baseball Coach" (PDF). Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  11. ^ "Gum Takes Over UCA Baseball Program". June 15, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  12. ^ "Browning Named New SAU Coach". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  13. ^ "Great American Conference Baseball Standings 2012". Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  14. ^ "Browning Named SAU's New Athletic Director". Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  15. ^ Gallegos, Daniel (April 6, 2013). "Browning notches 100th career victory as Muleriders sweep doubleheader against East Central". MuleriderAthletics.com. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  16. ^ "CHAMPIONS! Muleriders repeat as GAC Tournament Title". May 7, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  17. ^ "(With two photos) Browning leaves baseball coaching position to become SAU's full-time AD". May 9, 2016.
  18. ^ "Goodheart Field at Walker Stadium". Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  19. ^ "Baseball Attendance Records" (PDF). Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  20. ^ http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/baseball_RB/2014/d2.pdf [bare URL PDF]
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