May 2009 graduate Adam Darby runs the bases during the game against Missouri western on Feb. 15. Lafer that year Darby earned All-American honors from the Gulf South Conference. Craig Rainbolt Scoreboard Augustono W 9-3 L 7-9 W 5-4 Hendrix L 9-17 Missouri Western L5-6 L 1-5 W 13-3 L 1-6 North Alabama L2-7 L 1-7 Alabama-Huntsville L 3-8 L 4-7 L 1-5 L 4-6 Williams Baptist W 10-1 W 5-2 Wisconsin-Parkside W 13-3 W 9-7 W 14-3 Drury L 4-14 Waldorf W2-1 W4-2 W2-0 North Alabama L 5-14 W 7-3 Sthn. Arkansas L 0-10 W 7-3 L 1-3 Central Baptist W 3-2 W 7-6 Ouachita Baptist W 4-2 L3-6 W 3-2 Lyon W 4-3 Delta State LO-17 W 12-1 L6-11 Crichton L3-7 Christian Brothers W 6-5 W 9-2 W 10-3 Williams Baptist W 20-4 W 10-5 Henderson State L4-7 L0-8 Central Bobtist W 5-1 W 10-4 Arkansas-Monticello W 15-5 W 15-10 W 6-5 W 4-3 Arkansas Tech L 5-15 L 3-4 W 9-7 Alabama-Huntsville W 9-6 West Florida L 4-11 Valdosta State L8-9 Darby's Big Dream Eve ry young boy across America has b ig dl"eams. Some of th em dream of becom– ing an astronaut or becoming Batman while others dream o f becoming a mil – liona ire or a farrlOus actor. But , for Adam Da r by, becoming a professional baseball player would be a dream come true . Darby, who graduated fr om Harding in 2009 , played center field for th e Bi sons for four yea r s and then moved on to play profess iona l baseball for th e Pen saco la Pelicans, an American Association team . Darby signed wi th the team in June 2009 and felt that thi s opportunity would have n eve r been pos – sibl e if it wasn't for h is time at Ha l'd ing. " Harding was a bleSSing in my life ," Darby said. " Ileamed a lot about baseball Simply from playing and gaining experience at Harding. The best way to learn the game of baseball is to play it and gain experience." Darby was a leader for the Harding squad both on and off the field. H ead baseball coach Patrick McGaha said that Darby was a player that you could not help but respect. "Adam was a good team leader, " McGaha said. "He wasn't really vocal but h e led by example and everyone respected his work ethic and tried to malch it. He was blessed with a u'emendous amount of G o d given talent , but he did not rest on that fact ; he worked tremendous ly hal'd to improve his gam.e each day. " In hi s very first al bat with the Pelicans , Darby began his professional career with a Single and was a slarter for the Florida tea m, "My time with the Pelicans has definitely been a life experience," Darby sa id. " It 's been fun, but very challenging and demanding at the same time." In Darby's four -year ca reer at Harding h e had a .377 batting average and a . 464 on - base perce nt – age. In his senior season he led Harding in nearly every offensive categol'y batting .426 and setting school records wi th 16 home runs and 64 RBI. H e also became only th e second Harding baseball play– er to receive First -Team All-American hono r s. " It' s a huge adjustment from college to profes– s ional, and I honestly don't think there is any way to be fully prepared fOI" it ," Darby said. " It 's a lea rn as you go experience. Joel Blake baseba ll 273
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