FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2007

Darnell Announces Four More Junior College Transfers

Joplin, Mo. - Missouri Southern head baseball coach Bryce Darnell has announced the signing of Austin Lawrence, Ryan Verfurth, Derek Ezell and Scott Kelling to national letters of intent to attend Southern and play baseball in the spring of 2008.

Lawrence is a 6-0 left handed pitcher from Crane, Mo. He played two years at Labette Community College and prior to that, Lawrence was a four year starter for coach Danny Barrett at Aurora High School. While at Aurora, Lawrence was a three-time All-Conference selection at both pitcher and first base. He also lettered three years, starting one at quarterback for the football team. Lawrence is a physical education major at Southern.

Verfurth is a 5-11 right handed pitcher from Billings, Mo. He played two seasons at Crowder College and was a four-year starter at Billings High School as a pitcher and infielder.

At Billings, Verfurth was a first-team All-Conference selection in both his junior and senior seasons, helping his team to the district championship in 2005. Verfurth also was a three year starter at point guard for the Wildcat basketball team, earning first-team All-Conference and All-County selections. He plans to major in business management at Southern. 

Ezell is a 6-0 infielder from Lee's Summit, Mo. He played the past two seasons at Kansas City, Kansas Community College where he hit .315 with 16 doubles and 26 RBI's this past season, helping his team to a 38-20 record. Ezell hit .401 as a freshman.

Ezell played for coach Jim Mellody at Lee's Summit High School where he was first-team All-State and All-Conference his senior year. He helped the Tigers to a third place finish in the 2005 Missouri State High School Baseball Championship, with two wins, two saves and two homers throughout the post season.

Kelling comes to Southern from Kansas City, Mo. He is a 6'6, 260 pound right handed pitcher and spent the past two seasons at Maple Woods Community College where he helped the team to a Region Championship each season.

Prior to Maple Woods, Kelling played for coach Rick Ringel at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City. He was a three year starter for the Warriors at pitcher and first base. His senior season, Kelling was a first-team All-Conference, All-District, All-Region and All-State selection. He had a 7-0 record on the mound as a senior and hit .479 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs. Kelling also played one year of basketball.

Kelling's brother Ross played baseball at Kansas, graduating this past year. His father, Doug played basketball at Park University.