Sullivan Signs To Play Softball At OBU

After having two boys who were heavily involved in athletics, Nina Sullivan said she was in the delivery room with new baby Sarah and told her husband Charles, he had better not throw a ball to this one.

Mr. Sullivan said it wasn’t him but his wife who started throwing the ball to their daughter. No matter who was responsible for the first game of catch, both parents looked on with pride Thursday as Sarah Sullivan signed a letter-of-intent to play softball at Ouachita Baptist University.

“I’m glad it has all paid off,” said Sullivan, who signed an athletic/academic scholarship.

The signing capped a stellar athletic career for the Lady Wildcat, who earned All-Conference honors in softball, basketball and volleyball. During her career, Sullivan competed in state tournaments in all three sports.

“She maybe the only one we know of that has lettered in three sports – three years in all three sports – that is quite an accomplishment,” said El Dorado athletic director Derrill Smith.

The signing ceremony featured all of the coaches who have worked with Sullivan during her career at El Dorado, including Ken Blackmon, Larry Shirron, Don Travis, Todd Walls and Jim Monk in softball, Brad Slatton and Emily Madar in basketball and Paul Loyd in volleyball and basketball.

“It’s been a thrill to have her in our program,” said Slatton. “She’s been an asset to our program. I’m very proud of her for her accomplishments in every sport she plays.”

Said Loyd, “In addition to being captain of the basketball team and the volleyball team, she’s been co-sponsor for FCA. One of the most important things we coaches look for is character. It’s been a joy to coach her and a joy to be around her.”

Sullivan will be apart of OBU’s new softball program. She said the Lady Tigers are recruiting her as a pitcher and infielder. The 6-footer has also been given the opportunity to play basketball at Ouachita.

“I’ll most likely focus on softball,” she said. “I haven’t made that decision, yet. If I didn’t play basketball and there was a game going on, it would be so hard for me.”

On the other hand, Sullivan said she is looking forward to focusing on one sport. She said she needs to add at least five miles per hour on her pitching and gain more movement on her pitches. She will participate in the All-Star Softball Game and has signed on to play on a team in Benton this summer.

Sullivan said she is looking forward to carrying on the family athletic tradition. Her brothers, Brad and Wes, both played baseball at Ouachita Baptist.

 “I know it’s a good school because my brothers played there,” said Sullivan, who plans to major in speech pathology. “I love the atmosphere and I’m looking forward to a Christian education. They’re also one of the top liberal arts schools in the south.”

Both Brad and Wes wore uniform No. 19 during their baseball careers at Ouachita. It’s the same number little sister wears in softball.

Whether it was Mr. or Mrs. Sullivan who first threw a ball to their daughter, it looks likes she caught it.