He also has provided key insight for the team’s baserunning strategies, as the 2022 Trojans stole 68 bags, the most for the program since 2014. Williams paced the Trojans with 21, tied for third most in the Sun Belt.
A trio of Trojans who reached double-digit doubles paced the squad’s offense in 2021, highlighted by Williams’ .288/.316/.512 line that featured a team-leading 105 total bases.
Prior to the suspension of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, Little Rock's offense enjoyed a hot start to the season. Catcher Kale Emshoff led the Sun Belt in batting average, home runs and slugging percentage to begin the season, and was among the national leaders in many statistical categories, leading into his signing with the Kansas City Royals following the season.
Sanders helped bring the Little Rock offense to new heights throughout the Trojans’ prolific 2019 season at the plate. The team’s 54 home runs represented its highest single-season total since 2013, and drew 89 hit-by-pitches, which marked the most for the program since 2010.
“I loved his ability to connect with players and fellow coaches, and his excitement for what our sport is doing and where we’re going,” Ball-Malone said. “He is excited for what we have here and what we can be doing at UCF and our ability to get to the World Series."
Sanders mentored Riley Pittman during his illustrious four-year career as a Trojan, who would become Little Rock’s all-time home run leader (27) and earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors in his senior season. Pittman and outfielder Troy Alexander both went on to sign professional contracts after their collegiate campaigns under Sanders, with Pittman signing with the Milwaukee Milkmen and Alexander signing with the St. Paul Saints.
In total, Sanders has recruited and/or coached 21 players who have been selected in the MLB Draft and a total of 24 players who went on to play professional baseball. Two notable draftees include Tyler Zuber, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals, and Peyton Culbertson, who was selected in the eighth round of the 2018 draft by the Miami Marlins.
Sanders has mentored eight players on their way to receiving First Team All-Sun Belt honors, including Pittman, who earned First Team NABC/Rawlings All-Region and Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-American recognition. Sanders also coached 2018 Sun Belt Newcomer of the year Kyle MacDonald, 2015 Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American Zach George, and 2015 First Team College Sports Madness Matt Burgess.
Sanders came to Little Rock from in-state rival Arkansas State, where he served as the assistant coach during the 2016 and 2017 seasons after aiding as the Red Wolves’ volunteer assistant coach for three seasons from 2013-15.
“Having already worked with our administration was a big sell for me as well, because he understands the vision we have here with our athletic department,” Ball-Malone noted. “He was at Arkansas State when Terry Mohajir, Rich Zvosec and Abby Wilson were all there, so he knows them well and understands their vision.”
In 2017, Sanders handled first base coaching duties and assisted head coach Tommy Raffo with the offense. The squad’s offense tied for the most home runs during the Raffo era with 34, and the team also recorded the highest runs per game (6.02) and RBI per game (5.40) in the BBCOR bat era, which began in 2011.
The squad stole 62 bases as well, which fell one shy of tying the most during the Raffo era. Sanders saw three of his hitters earn Sun Belt Player of the Week honors — the most in a single season at Arkansas State since 2006.
Before Arkansas State, Sanders served as an assistant coach at Crowder College in the fall of 2012 where he was the team’s hitting instructor, worked with the catchers, and assisted in recruiting.
“I’m looking forward to creating new relationships. I’ve created relationships and networked in the baseball community for nearly 15 years, so being able to do that on the softball side is something that’s really exciting to me,” Sanders added. “Being able to coach these high-level athletes who play at such a high level with an opportunity to win and compete for a national championship is something that’s very exciting.”
Sanders served a two-year stint at his alma mater Arkansas-Monticello during the 2011 and 2012 seasons and helped six players attain all-conference honors. He was the team’s recruiting coordinator and worked with hitters, catchers and outfielders.
As a player, Sanders spent two years at Itawamba Community College in 2006 and 2007 before transferring to the University of West Alabama for two seasons (2008-09). He spent the final year of his playing career at Arkansas-Monticello in 2010.
Sanders earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Arkansas-Monticello. He and his wife, Bailie, have two kids, Kannon and Kendall.
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