Missouri Southern baseball coach Bryce Darnell has announced the signing of  Jacob Taylor (Northeastern Okla. A&M), Michael Zurmehly (Connors State) and Justin Beal (Grand Valley State University) who will all join the Lions and play in the spring of 2009.

Taylor, a 6’1 195 pound middle infielder, is a native of Moreno Valley, California and transfers to Southern after one year at Chaffey (Calif.) CC and most recently at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla. This past season at NEO, Taylor hit .411 in 39 games, including 11 doubles, nine home runs and 55 RBIs. He was a second-team All-Region selection at NEO. Taylor prepped at Canyon Springs High School where he was a 2004 graduate. Taylor will have two years of eligibility left at Southern.

Zurmehly, a 6’2, 215 pound first basemen, is a native of Edmond, Okla. and transfers to Southern after two years at Connors State (Okla.) College. A two year starter at Connors, Zurmehly hit .373 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBIs as a freshman. This past season, Zurmehly hit .355 in 60 games with 21 doubles, five home runs and 60 RBIs. Zurmehly was a three year starter in baseball at Bishop McGuiness High School in Oklahoma City, while starting all four years at defensive end on the football team. He will have two years of eligibility left at Southern.

Beal a 6’2, 200 pound infielder, is a native of Owasso, Okla., but comes to Southern after one year at Grand Valley State University and two years at Independence (Kan.) CC. Last season at GVSU, Beal hit .322, while starting in 39 of 40 games played in. He added seven doubles, four triples, two homers and 36 RBIs. At ICC, Beal earned second team All-Jayhawk Conference as a freshman and honorable mention as a sophomore, while hitting .330 with 13 homers in his two years.

Beal was a two-time state champion at Owasso High School, winning the title in both 2003-04, and finished as the runner up in 2005. His brother, Josh, is a pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Beal will have one year of eligibility left.