The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Missouri Southern Sports

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August 14, 2012

17 players join Missouri Southern baseball program

From staff reports

Four area high school players are among the 17 signees announced Tuesday by Missouri Southern baseball coach Bryce Darnell.

Derek Skaggs, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, started three years at Carl Junction and was the all-Big 8 Conference third baseman this past season.

Infielder-outfielder Tyler Ferguson, 6-2, 210, started four years at Southwest High School in Washburn. He was named Ozark 7 Conference player of the year this season after batting .500 with 14 doubles and five home runs.

Sean Goostree, 6-3, 160, earned all-Ozark 7 Conference honors four years at Wheaton High School. He helped the Bulldogs win district championships the past two seasons.

Tyler Lux, 6-0, 164 left-handed pitcher-outfielder from Wyandotte, also earned all-league honors as a pitcher all four years and was the Lucky 7 Conference most valuable player as a senior.

Kaleb Clark from Riverton and Spenser Witt from Monett are among eight junior college player who are joining the Lions.

Clark, 6-3, 215 right-handed pitcher, played two seasons at Allen County Community College in Iola, Kan. He was drafted in the 40th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

Witt, 5-9, 160 outfielder, hit .309 and drove in 15 runs last season at Crowder. He had three doubles among his 25 hits and scored 31 runs.

Ryan Leonardo, 6-0, 190 third baseman, also played two seasons at Crowder. Last year he hit .293 with five doubles, eight RBI and 14 runs scored in 24 games.

Darnell signed five more pitchers from junior colleges — right-handers Ryan Bates from Mountain View, Texas (5-10, 180 pounds, 2.46 earned run average in 12 games); Tyler Kjellsen from Neosho County CC (6-3, 185, 3-1 record, 30 strikeouts and 12 walks in 30 innings); Drew Noble from Coffeyville CC (6-5, 210, 5-6 record, 38 strikeouts and 16 walks in 70 innings); Ron Riley from Labette CC (5-11, 180, 3-1, 4.80 ERA in 29 innings); and Stephen Vaughn from East Georgia College (6-0, 195, 5-1 record, six saves, and 3.22 ERA while fanning 55 and walking 26 in 50 innings).

Mount Vernon product Josh Engler is among five players from four-year schools who are transferring to Missouri Southern.

Engler, 6-4, 185, was 7-4 with a 4.70 ERA last season for the Crusaders. He struck out 49 batters and walked 19.

Nick Doughty and Shaun Hoover were teammates at Northwestern State (La.). Doughty, 6-2, 225, hit .264 in 25 games, and Hoover, 6-2, 215, played in 25 games after two seasons at Hutchinson CC where he batted .328 and slugged 17 homers.

Kanon Hoover, 5-10, 175, is the brother of former Lion Kellen Hoover. Last year Kanon posted a 2-2 record and logged three saves at MidAmerica Nazarene. He fanned 31 and walked 17 in 32 innings and had a 4.78 ERA.

Bruce Williams, 6-1, 200, batted .297 and drove in 27 runs last season at Georgia College and State University. He hit seven doubles, five triples, one homer and scored 36 runs.

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