Bryce Darnell

Darnell is one of the best catchers in the history of Missouri Southern. A three-year starter for the Lions after transferring from the University of Minnesota, Darnell hit .366 in his career at Southern with 100 runs scored, 169 hits, 111 RBIs, 40 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 75 walks.

Darnell hit .436 as a sophomore in his first season for the Lions, which ranks as the sixth-highest single-season batting average in the history of the program. His best season came in 1995 when he helped the Lions to a 43-13 record. He had a .364 batting average that season, earning first-team All-MIAA and All-Region honors. As a senior, Darnell hit .339 with 20 doubles, a mark that is fifth all-time in Southern history. Darnell was selected twice in the Major League Baseball Draft in his career at Southern, once after his junior season by the St. Louis Cardinals and again after his senior season by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He went on to play in the Diamondbacks minor league system.

Darnell coached high school baseball at Webb City High School where he would win two Missouri State Championships. He succeeded longtime Southern head coach Warren Turner in 2008 as the head coach for the Lions. In six seasons, Darnell has led the Lions to four MIAA Tournaments, as well as the 2013 MIAA Baseball Tournament Championship and a spot in the 2013 and 2015 Division II Central Regional.

Darnell is a 1997 graduate of Missouri Southern and he earned a master's degree in 2000 from Missouri State University. He and his wife Pamela, have a daughter Darcy, as well as a son, Cy. The family resides in Joplin.