Carte Not Returning To Tigers’ Dugout

BOARD VOTES NOT TO RENEW CONTRACT

PRAIRIE GROVE — The final chapter in Prairie Grove’s stormy 2018 softball season played out with a decision by the Prairie Grove School Board not to renew Brandy Carte’s contract as head coach.

The decision was announced July 10 in the aftermath of a six-hour special meeting that began the evening of Monday, July 9, and continued until around midnight according to Board President Shawn Shrum. Prairie Grove School Board unanimously voted to uphold an administration recommendation submitted by athletic director Joey Sorters during the July 9 meeting not to renew Carte’s contract as head softball coach for the 2018-19 school year.

During the 2018 season, Prairie Grove went 6-16 overall and 4-6 in conference. Due to a four-game suspension Carte’s record was 4-14 overall and 2-4 in conference. The Lady Tigers started 0-3 with Carte suspended four games on the heels of a lopsided 20-4 home loss to rival Farmington on March 6.

Details were not provided regarding Carte’s fourgame suspension other than Shrum said it factored into the administration’s recommendation not to renew her coaching contract.

With assistant coach Katie Chavis in charge during Carte’s absence the Lady Tigers went 2-2, getting their first win of the season by a 10-8 margin at home over Gentry on March 8; and following that up with an 11-0 victory against Huntsville at home March 9. Prairie Grove then suffered losses to West Fork (14-1) and Lincoln (10-2). Carte returned to the dugout against Conway on March 16 with the Lady Tigers sustaining an 11-5 loss, their third during an 11-game losing streak. Prairie Grove was outscored 129-57 in the skid.

Carte appeared to be getting a handle on things with Prairie Grove winning four of its final five regular season games scoring at least 17 runs in three wins. The Lady Tigers outscored opponents, 62-33, over that stretch.

They didn’t match up well against Gravette, which defeated the Lady Tigers, 19-3, on April 16 and dealt a finishing blow to Prairie Grove’s season with a decisive 12-1 win in the first-round of the District 4A-1 tournament played at Lincoln April 26.

The Lady Lions came into the tournament ranked No. 3 while Prairie Grove was sixth in 4A-1 standings. The Lady Lions scored five runs in the third beginning with a basesloaded walk. A throwing error allowed a second run to score before Keeley Bulza drove in a third run with a single. Sumer Kaba’s flyball was misjudged allowing her a two-run triple. In the fourth Bailey Elmore’s flyball was not fielded and two more runs scored. Gravette increased the lead to 8-0 on Emily Ellis’ single as the fourth ended.

Prairie Grove made a little noise when Kylie Scott led off the sixth with a walk. She moved to second on a fielder’s choice and went to third on Makinsey Parnell’s single. Scott scored the Lady Tigers’ only run of the contest on a wild pitch.

Gravette ended the game in the sixth. Lexi Gerner drove in a run, then Elmore walked and Emily Ellis hit a threerun homer to give Gravette a run-rule win. LYNN KUTTER CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ARTICLE.

Carte