FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2007

Darnell signs two local baseball prospects

Joplin, Mo. - Missouri Southern baseball coach Bryce Darnell has announced the signing of Carl Junction pitcher Zak Porath and Joplin infielder Shayne Hoke to national letters of intent to play baseball at Southern beginning in the fall of 2008.

Porath is a 6-0 left handed pitcher/outfielder from the Carl Junction Bulldog team that beat coach Darnell's Webb City team in the 2007 Missouri class three district finals. That was Darnell's last game as a high school coach before being named head coach at Southern.

Porath, who played for coach Darnell's brother Flave at CJ, was a first team All-Conferece, All-District, All-Area and All-State pitcher, and was named the Big 8 Conference Player of the Year this past year. He helped the Bulldogs to a district and sectional championship in '07. In 2005, Porath was a first team All-Conference selection as an outfielder and second team as a pitcher.

Also a football star at CJ, Porath was a three year starter at running back and defensive back for the Bulldogs, helping to lead the team to a share of the Big 8 conference title this past season. This year, he was a first team All-Conference selection as a running back and defensive back, as well as second team as a punter. He was also the Offensive Player of the Year in the league. Porath plans to be a physical education major at Southern and is the son of Mark and Rieta Porath.

Hoke is a 6-0 infielder who played for coach Kirk Harryman at Joplin High School. A three year starter for the Eagles, Hoke was a first team All-Conference selection and was named to the All-Area team, as well. He helped the Eagles to the district and sectional title as a freshman, while leading the team to a district title as a sophomore and conference championships in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns.

Also a three year starter for the Eagles football team, Hoke helped the team to the Ozark Conference title his junior season when he was named a second-team All-Conference pick at outside linebacker. Shayne is the son of John and Sharon Hoke and is undecided on his potential major at Southern.

"We expect both players to impact our program very quickly", Darnell said. "Shayne (Hoke) is an outstanding hitter, with exceptional power and Zak (Porath) is a great athlete who will help our pitching staff from day one. He is also an excellent outfielder."

Coach Darnell expects a few more signings to be announced over the next few days.