From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

Eight new players have signed to join the Missouri Southern baseball program for the 2010 season.

The signings, announced by coach Bryce Darnell on Wednesday, including four high school players, three junior college transfers and one Division I transfer.

“We feel like we have had a successful recruiting class,” Darnell said. “Adding these players to the players we signed in the fall gives us a great mix of pitching and speed. We needed to address our pitching depth and our ability to steal bases. We are looking forward to the start of fall practice.”

Taylor Byrd (Joplin), Kyle Coatney (Monett), Grant Thompson (Galena) and Trey Carlton (Springfield Kickapoo) join the Lions as freshmen.

Patrick Deao (Neosho County Community College), Tyler Jinks (Three Rivers CC) and Mitch Albright (Fort Scott CC) are the junior college transfers.

Josh Turner is a transfer from the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Byrd is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound middle infielder. A second-team all-Ozark Conference and all-district selection, Byrd helped the Eagles to conference and district championships in 2009. A two-year starter, he also lettered two years for the football team at Joplin. The son of Stephen and Teresa Byrd, Taylor plans to be a nursing major at Southern.

Coatney is a 6-3, 180 pound pitcher/infielder. He holds the Monett school records for career strikeouts, innings pitched, complete games, and games pitched.

Coatney was a first team all-Big 8 Conference selection as a senior and also earned all-district honors. Coatney also started two years for the Cubs’ basketball team, while earning three letters. The son of Mark and Penni Coatney, Kyle is undecided on his major at Southern.

Thompson is a 6-0, 170 outfielder. A three-year starter on the Galena baseball team, Thompson started two years as a wide receiver and defensive back for the football program.

Thompson was a first team all-CNC League and Class 3A all-state selection as a senior, helping his team to a regional championship and a runnerup finish in the state tournament.

Thompson was a participant in the KABC All-Star game and had a milestone this past year, going the entire regular season without striking out. The son of Dale and Debbie Thompson, Grant plans on majoring in business management.

Carlton is a 5-9, 170 outfielder. He was a member of district championship teams in his sophomore and junior seasons, while leading the Chiefs in stolen bases in 2008. He was a three-year varsity starter and an American Legion All-Star in 2008. The son of David and Donna Carlton, Trey plans on majoring in business.