FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2007

Darnell signs four baseball players

Joplin, Mo. - Missouri Southern head baseball coach Bryce Darnell has announced the signing of Eric Clark, Marcus Ozbun, Skyler Rawlins and CJ Matthews to national letters of intent to attend Southern and play baseball in the spring of 2008.

Both Clark and Ozbun are from Webb City and played for Darnell. Clark is a 2005 graduate of Webb and has played the previous two years at Labette Community College for coach Aaron Keal. While at Webb City, Clark was a member of the 2005 Missouri Class 3 State Champions. A three-year starter in the outfield for Darnell, Clark was a first team All-Conference, All-Area, All-District and All-State selection as a senior. He was second team All-Conference as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore.

Clark holds the Webb City record for stolen bases (44) and hits in a season (45). He was also a member of the football and basketball teams, and helped the football team to a 2005 Missouri Class 4 runner up finish.

Ozbbun was a three-year starter for Darnell and the Cardinals at second base. In 2006, Ozbun was an All-Conference, All-District, All-Area and All-State selection. He helped the Cardinals to back-to-back Missouri Class 3 state championships in 2005-06, and was an All-Conference selection this past season.

Also a football player for the Cardinals, Ozbun started for two years and helped this year's team to the 2006 Class 4 State Title. Ozbun's grandfather, Carl Wilson played baseball at Pittsburg State and his brother, Kyle played baseball at Delta State.

Matthews is a native of Green Forrest, Arkansas and played at Crowder College. While at Crowder, Matthews was a two-year starter earning an All-Academic and All-Conference honors.

A four year starter at catcher for Green Forrest HS, Matthews was a four-time All-District and All-State selection in baseball, while also being a two-time All-State selection in football. He led his football team to a 12-1 record his senior year, while leading the team in rushing for three seasons. He was a three year starter in football and basketball at Green Forrest.

Rawlins was a four-year starter at shortstop for coach Chris Yust at Seneca High School. He is a four time All-Conference selection at shortstop, as well as a three time All-Area and All-District pick and was an All-State selection this past year. In football, Rawlins was a three-year starter, and was a three-time All-Conference, two time All-Area and All-District and was a first team All-State selection this past year at wide receiver.

Both Rawlins' parents are graduates of Southern and his father, David, played football at Southwest Baptist before transferring to MSSU.