With the Seahawks’ 10-4 win over William & Mary Fri., April 10, UNCW head coach Mark Scalf passed Bill Brooks for top spot on the program’s all-time wins list. The six-run victory marked Scalf’s 575th at the helm of the Seahawks.

“It’s definitely an honor to be spoken in a same sense as Coach Brooks,” Scalf said following the milestone.

Brooks, who founded the Seahawk baseball program as well as performing duties as head basketball coach and athletic director, amassed a 574-292-6 record in 27 seasons as head coach. Brooks also led the Seahawks to the NAIA World Series in 1975 as well as two junior college World Series titles.

The Seahawks jumped out to an early 6-2 lead by the third inning, capitalizing on three William & Mary errors to plate three unearned runs. Sophomore catcher Cody Stanley led the way offensively going 3-4 at the plate, including a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning. The long ball was Stanley’s eighth of the year.

“It was a fastball. The guy just left it right over the plate and I was ready for it,” he said. “I was set up for it and I knew he wasn’t going to beat me with it and put a good swing on it.”

The Seahawks also benefited from a solid outing by sophomore right-hander Daniel Cropper. Cropper completed seven innings allowing only two earned runs on four hits. The victory improved Cropper’s record to 4-2 as a starter as he finished with five strikeouts and no walks.

“It was a good outing. I was able to get in there and get inside on some guys and get them to saw some pitches off and let the defense work behind me,” Cropper said.

For Scalf, the milestone came with a special significance as he passed his former coach and mentor. The Seahawks’ current skipper played his collegiate career under Brooks from 1977 to 1980.

“Without [Brooks’] recommendation, I wouldn’t be the head coach here and I certainly have expressed that appreciation many times,” Scalf said.

It was widely believed that Scalf was nearing Brooks’ mark last season due to a banner on the left field wall incorrectly listing the former coach’s win total as 547. The banner has since been corrected and Scalf can expect to have a banner of hs own in the future.

Scalf joined the UNCW staff in 1984 as an assistant coach and took the reigns as the head of the program in 1991. In 18 seasons, Scalf posts an overall record of 576-448-1, which includes four CAA Coach-of-the-Year honors. Scalf has also led the Seahawks to four NCAA Tournament appearances as well as posting a school record 42 wins in 2008.

“Just having the chance to be here and continue to enjoy what I do with the young men that are here, I’ve been fortunate,” he said.

To add extra sentiment to Scalf’s record-breaking achievement, the win came at home during one of the program’s alumni weekends.

“For it to happen on an alumni weekend with a lot of former players back, it’s probably a little more special,” he said.

Scalf was honored before Tuesday’s home game against Elon with the presentation of a commemorative plaque by UNCW Athletic Director Kelly Mehrtens.

The Seahawks are currently fourth in the CAA standings with a 7-5 conference record [20-12 overall] and travel to Chapel Hill Tues., April 21, in an attempt to avenge an 8-1 loss at the hands of the seventh-ranked Tar Heels in March.