Mitchell Osburn returns behind the plate for the Lions after seeing his season cut short after just three games a season ago. A native of Broken Arrow, Okla. and a transfer from Seminole State CC, Osburn is a sophomore and will be looked at to help lead the team on the field. “Mitchell caught the first three games of the year for us last year before he had to take a redshirt after an injury,” Darnell said. “But he is as good a defensive catcher’s I’ve seen in a while and is one of the top guys defensively in the league so we’re looking forward to having him back and seeing big things from him.” Outfielders Zack Steadman returns as the only player with experience from 2013 for the Lions. The native of Derby, Kan., Steadman hit .257, playing in 39 games, of which he started 25. He carried a .411 on-base percentage and he was a perfect 5-5 on the basepaths. 2014 Preview David Reese is one of four returning starting pitchers to the Lions' stable this year. Reese Had 52 strikeouts and only 10 walks as a junior. Joining Steadman in the outfield, the Lions should see a platoon of Beau Phillips (Springfield, Mo/ Wright State (Ohio)), and Evin Natick (Chicago, Ill./Heartland CC) in left field. Phillips comes to Southern from Division I Wright State and will be looked at for solid defense as well as quality speed on the bases. Steadman and Logan Moon will platoon in center field. Moon transfers to Southern from Division I Central Arkansas and will have one season of eligibility. He also will see time in the bullpen as the righty tops out in the low-90’s with his fastball. In right field, Southern will see a platoon of Texas Christian University transfer Axel Johnson and Neosho County transfer Robbe Ewing. Johnson is a tall, left-handed bat that should bolster the middle of the lineup and Ewing is a talented outfielder with a strong throwing arm. The MIAA The Lions finished third in the final, regular-season MIAA standings a season ago. They won a best-of-three, play-in series against Northeastern State at Joe Becker Stadium to qualify for the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The team then proceeded to win its first two games against Pittsburg State (9-0) and fifth-ranked Missouri Western (4-3) to advance to the championship game of the tournament where they faced-off with Western once again, having only to win one game to capture the MIAA’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Western would defeat the Lions in the first game of the championship Saturday, but the Lions won the deciding game on a dramatic, walk-off home run from Sam Ryan to qualify for the Central Region Tournament. Historically one of the toughest baseball leagues in Division II, the MIAA will once again be a tough road this season for the Lions. Central Missouri returns as the conference favorite, while last year’s regular-season champ Missouri Western could vie for the title, as well. Darnell says, however, don’t count out teams like Central Oklahoma, Fort Hays or Emporia State for challenging the Lions for a return bid to the NCAA Regionals. “Our league is tough, as everyone knows,” Darnell said. “You have to play well week-in and out, no matter whom you’re playing or you could find yourself in hole early on. Emporia State, Fort Hays, Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State … All these teams and I hate to mention them specifically because they’re all so tough and can beat you on any given day, but I tell our guys and this may sound simple, but if you want to win today, you have to play well, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing. We have a ton of respect for everyone in our league and we just hope to play well and be competitive with those teams and we hope that we find ourselves in the upper echelon when the season is over.” The Lions open the 2014 regular season on February 15 and 16 against Minnesota-Crookston and open up MIAA play a week later on the road at Lincoln. The first MIAA home series for the Lions is on February 28 – March 2 against Fort Hays State. 16 2014 MSSU BASEBALL @mososports missourisouthernlions mssulions.com
Missouri Southern Baseball Media Guide 2014
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