Slayton inducted into SAU Sports Hall of Fame

Former Nashville High School Baseball Coach Kyle Slayton was one of seven individuals inducted into the Southern Arkansas University Sports Hall of Fame Friday night in a ceremony at Magnolia.  During his induction speech, Slayton said he wasn’t the most overpowering pitcher during his college career, but he always worked to be the best at whatever he did:

The Mineola, Texas native became one of Arkansas’ most successful baseball coaches, winning a state championship at Fouke, and four other state titles during his 20 year coaching career at Nashville. 

He was named conference coach of the year four times and named ABCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2018 and was named ABCA National High School Coach of the Year in 2018.

At SAU, Slayton appeared in 68 games, notched 25 wins, tossed 16 complete games, which is tied for the third-most all-time and recorded 13 saves while in his final three seasons with a sub-2.60 ERA each year. He also struck out 175 batters in 258.2 career innings pitched. Slayton appeared in 46 games in 1993 and 1994, compiling a 17-6 record, pitched 10 contests and collected 11 of his 13 career saves which at the time of his graduation. In 159 innings pitched, he struck out 128 batters.

Slayton was named an All-AIC and NAIA All-District 17 performer in ’93 and ’94 and NAIA All-Southwest Region in ’94. He was also an NAIA Honorable Mention All-America selection.