GENTRY -- Last season, the old scoreboard on the softball field in the Merrill Reynolds Memorial Complex at Gentry High School worked for only three full games out of all the girls' home games, according to Paul Ernest, head softball coach at the high school. Things should be different this year and in the years to come, thanks to a gift from Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

Savannah Dickinson, vice president and branch manager of Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, presented checks to Brae Harper, Gentry High School principal and athletic director, for the purchase of a new scoreboard for the softball field on Friday. Dickinson and Harper were accompanied on the softball field for the check presentation by head softball coach Paul Ernest and assistant coaches Ayla Smartt and Erica Jones.

Harper said he has signed the document to begin the process of building the scoreboard. Harper anticipated it would take four or five weeks for the board to be built before it can be installed.

Ernest expressed his gratefulness to Dickinson and Farm Credit on Friday and said he hoped to be able to send photos of the sign in use with the score of the home team greater than that of the visitors.

"We at Gentry Public Schools are very appreciative of our partnerships we have established and the commitment by Farm Credit to provide a scoreboard for our softball players and community," said Harper. "We are very appreciative of their willingness to donate the money for this cause. We want to say a huge thanks to Farm Credit."

Farm Credit also contributed toward the purchase of the scoreboard in Pioneer Stadium. That scoreboard was put up just prior to the start of the 2014 football season.

General News on 02/07/2018