Four Webb City High School seniors made their college decisions official with a signing ceremony on Friday afternoon inside the Cardinal Dome.
All four seniors will play baseball at the next level, with three continuing a strong pipeline from Webb City to Missouri Southern.
CY DARNELL, MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Cy Darnell will join his father Bryce’s Missouri Southern program.
“It’s a good opportunity to continue at the next level,” Darnell said. “It means a new chapter of my life.”
Cy said the school’s location and the program’s success and facilities played a role in his decision to attend MSSU.
The 6-foot-2 Darnell was a first-team all-conference selection and a second-team all-state pick last spring as a shortstop.
Cy, who said his intended college major may be education/coaching, noted he’s enjoyed his prep career.
“It’s been the best four years of my life playing alongside my friends in baseball and football,” he said.
KAYLOR DARNELL, MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Kaylor Darnell will play for his uncle at the next level.
“It means a lot because I was gifted another four years of my favorite sport,” Kaylor said. “It means a lot to me because my parents, coaches and friends helped me work hard to become a college baseball player.”
Kaylor Darnell, who played for his father Flave the past three seasons at Webb City, earned second-team all-COC honors as a pitcher at the conclusion of his junior season.
The 6-1 Darnell said he chose MSSU because of the baseball program’s success and location.
Kaylor, who is also a third baseman, said he plans to study engineering technology.
WALKER SWEET, MISSOURI SOUTHERN
A 6-2 right-handed pitcher, Sweet will also be taking his talents to MSSU.
“It means a lot that I’ve been given the opportunity to play the sport I love at the collegiate level,” Sweet said. “It means a lot because I’ll compete in the best D-II conference in the nation.”
Asked why MSSU was his choice, Sweet said the program’s history of success played a big role, along with the fact that his classmates will also be playing for the Lions.
Sweet said he plans to study biomedical science.
Darnell, Darnell and Sweet are just the latest Cardinals to sign with Coach Darnell’s Lions.
Webb City graduates currently on the MSSU baseball roster are Cole Gayman, Treghan Parker and Cale McCallister.
KENLEY HOOD, HIGHLAND CC
Kenley Hood, a 6-2 first baseman, signed with Highland Community College in Kansas.
“This is huge for me to be able to play baseball at the next level,” Hood said. “This is what me and my friends have been working for our whole lives. This means a lot…everyone is not able to do this.”
Hood said there was a lot to like about Highland’s program.
“I loved the coaching staff and Gavin Stowell went there last year, so I’ll know someone up there,” Hood said, adding he’ll focus on general studies at Highland before moving on to a four-year school in the future.
Of course, before the four athletes begin their college baseball careers, they still have the 2023 spring season to look forward to. Webb City’s baseball program is now under the direction of Andrew Doennig.
