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2008 Stories

Porath signs with Missouri Southern

New Missouri Southern baseball coach Bryce Darnell stayed close to home to start his 2007-08 recruiting class.

Third baseman Shayne Hoke of Joplin and pitcher-outfielder Zak Porath of Carl Junction signed letters of intent with the Lions on Wednesday afternoon, the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period.

Both of their high school coaches — Kirk Harryman at Joplin and Flave Darnell at Carl Junction — are Missouri Southern alums. In addition, Flave Darnell is the younger brother of the Lions coach, but he didn’t push Porath toward MSSU.

“I wanted Zak to have a good college experience anywhere he goes, so I tried to do my best to answer any questions he had or help him out in any way,’’ Flave Darnell said. “I encouraged him to take visits, and I guess he thought Southern was the best fit.”

“He was probably in a little odd situation,’’ Bryce Darnell said of his brother. “His job is to make sure what is best for his kid. In this case, it worked out for us.”

Porath hit .437 for the Bulldogs last season with four home runs and 28 RBI. On the mound, the left-hander posted a 9-3 record with a 1.15 earned run average. He struck out 121 batters and walked 23 in 79 1/3 innings.

“Zak is a great athlete, a great competitor,’’ Flave Darnell said. “He showed a lot last year on the diamond. Since he’s been a sophomore, he’s pitched in every big game we’ve had. It’s been great to watch him develop and be the player that he is today, and it will be nice to watch him develop at college also.’’

Porath, the son of Mark and Rieta Porath, also considered MIAA foe Central Missouri and Division I schools Missouri State and New Mexico State before signing with the Lions.

“I had other offers that were about the same, but getting to stay local and be around people I’ve been around, play with some people that I’ve played against makes it good,’’ Porath said. “Of course, getting to work for another Darnell is fun.’’

Porath is happy the recruiting process is over.

“I started to get hectic toward the end, whenever my parents and everybody was telling me I needed to go ahead and make a decision,’’ he said. “I could have waited longer and waited for the next signing period, but it feels good to get it out of the way and get it done. I’m happy with my decision.’’

The Missouri Southern coach is also happy with the decisions by Porath and Hoke.

“We need to make it a habit to get the best local guys,’’ Bryce Darnell said. “I believe the area will produce good players.

“With Zak, the first thing that impresses me is his athletic ability. I’ve seen Zak pitch obviously several times, and his competitiveness really impressed me, especially down the stretch of his junior season.

RECENT HISTORY

2008 SEASON

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

Big 8 Results / Standings

Bulldogs 7th in final poll

2008 Final Poll

1	St. Dominic
2	Webb City
3	Cape Girardeau Notre Dame
	Boonville (tie)
5	Westminster Christian
6	Winfield
7	Carl Junction
	Sullivan (tie)
9	St. Joseph Benton
10	St. Francis Borgia

Post-Season Awards

Baseball Coaches Association District 5

(includes MO, IA, KS, MN, NE and ND)

First Team

Zak Porath

Missouri Class 3 All-State

First Team

Zak Porath

The Joplin Globe All-Area

First Team and Co-Player of the Year

Zak Porath, Pitcher

Honorable Mention

Travis Green, Catcher

Jake Hale, Pitcher

John Michel, Third Baseman

Evan Clemons, Shortstop

Big 8 All-Conference

Player of the Year

Zak Porath

First Team

Zak Porath, Pitcher & Outfielder

Jake Hale, Second Baseman

Second Team

John Michel, Third Baseman

Travis Green, Catcher

Class 3 District 12 All-District

First Team

Zak Porath

Second Team

John Michel

Nate Thomas

Team Awards

Most Valuable Player: Zak Porath

Silver Bat: John Michel

Golden Glove: Evan Clemons

Cy Young: Zak Porath

The Sporting News recognizes Porath

CJ senior ranked among top in nation

Zak Porath, a 3-year baseball letterman for Carl Junction, has been named as one of the Top 50 High School Baseball Players in America by The Sporting News magazine.

According to The Sporting News, "The top Missouri player could be Zak Porath of Carl Junction High. The Missouri Southern recruit earned All-State honors last season when he batted .437. On the mound, Porath sported a 1.15 ERA and set a school record with 121 strikeouts."

2007 SEASON

2007 PICTURE SLIDE SHOW - CLICK HERE

Carl Junction players celebrate their 8-4 victory over Webb City in last season's Class 3 District 12 championship game

Porath named First Team All-State

Carl Junction Bulldogs pitcher Zak Porath was named to the 2007 Class 3 All-State First Team.

Porath was a big reason the Bulldogs advanced to the state quarterfinals. He struck out nine in a complete-game victory against the Webb City Cardinals for the district title. The left-hander followed that up with a two-hitter of Monett in the state sectional round, where he struck out 11 and walked two.

He was dominant all year, finishing 9-3 with a 1.15 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 791/3 innings.

Joplin Globe All-Area

Pitcher - Zak Porath (First Team)

Third Base - John Michel (Special Mention)

Outfield - Brit Cacopardo (Special Mention)

Post Season Awards roll in for Bulldogs

Several players were honored by Big 8 coaches for their play this season. Zak Porath was named to the first team as both an outfielder and a pitcher.

Porath also was named Big 8 Player of the Year. Porath hit .437 and led the Bulldogs in nearly every offensive statistic. He scored 26 runs and drove in 28, leading the team in both categories. He also had a team-leading 20 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 9-3 with a 1.15 earned run average. His 121 strikeouts set a new team single-season record.

Earning Big 8 Honorable Mention were outfielders Britt Cacopardo and Scott Thompson, both seniors on Coach Darnell's squad. Junior John Michel also received Honorable Mention as a thirdbaseman.

This year's team also voted on several awards. They are:

Bulldog Award - Scott Thompson

MVP - Zak Porath

Cy Young - Zak Porath

Silver Bat - Zak Porath

Golden Glove - Chris Green

2007 RESULTS

2007 STATISTICS

2007 ROSTER

2007 VARSITY STORIES

Quarterfinal Game

Click here for Joplin Globe story