Lions sign 3 baseball transfers

July 09, 2008 12:17 am

— By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Missouri Southern’s baseball team has added three transfers, head coach Bryce Darnell announced on Monday.
Joining the Lions are middle infielders Jacob Taylor from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Justin Beal from Grand Valley State (Mich.) and first baseman Michael Zurmehly from Connors State (Okla.).
Taylor, 6-foot-1, 195-pounder, batted .411 in 39 games for the Golden Norsemen last spring. He hit 11 doubles, nine home runs and drove in 55 runs while earning second team all-region honors.
A native of Moreno Valley, Calif., Taylor played on eyear at Chaffey (Calif.) Community College before going to NEO.
“Taylor will hit in the middle of our order and impact our team offensively from the start,” Darnell said. “He’s athletic, and he can play basically any infield position.”
Beal, 6-2, 200 and a native of Owasso, Okla., hit .322 and started 39 games last season for the Lakers. He had seven doubles, four triples, two homers and 36 RBI. He played on state championship teams at Owasso in 2003 and 2004. His brother, Josh, is a pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
“Beal is an extremely solid player and a smart player,” Darnell said. “He will add a lot of ability on the infield for us.”
Zurmehly, 6-2, 215-pounder from Edmond, Okla., started two years at Connors State. He hit .373 with 15 doubles, seven homers and 34 RBI his freshman season. In 60 games as a sophomore, Zurmehly batted .355 with 21 doubles, five homers and 60 RBI.
Zurmehly started three years at Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City, and he was a four-year starter on the football team at defensive end.
“Zurmehly is a much-needed left-handed stick who can play outfield and first base,” Darnell said. “For him to hit third and fourth all year for Connors, with the program they have, that says a lot about his ability.”
Zurmehly and Taylor have two years of eligibility remaining, and Beal will play one year for the Lions.