Alex Darden, LHP, North Farmington HS, Class of 2016

PBR: Why did you choose Cincinnati?

Darden: I thought UC was the best fit both academically and athletically for me. I love the campus at UC and their facilities are second to none. Coach Neal and the Cincinnati coaching staff made my family and I feel very comfortable during our visits. Coach Neal has done an incredible job with developing players and programs and I could not be more excited to work with him.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Darden: Central Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Indiana State, and Wichita State 

PBR:  You are only a junior, how does it feel to get your commitment out of the way so early and are you finished with the recruiting process?   

Darden: It feels great to get the recruiting process over and the extra weight and stress off my shoulders so I can now go back to being a 16 year old kid and enjoy the rest of my summer. With the recruiting process, it’s over for me and I am 100% dedicated to UC.

PBR:  Coach Neal was a big part of the success at why Indiana went to the College World Series.  How quickly do you think that success can transfer to Bearcat baseball? 

Darden: I believe Coach Neal will be able to transfer that success to Cincinnati very quickly and I am looking forward to being a part of that success. 

PBR:  Where did the Coach Neal first see you compete and how did your relationship develop with the rest of the coaching staff?

Darden: The UC staff first saw me pitch in a summer tournament in Cincinnati and then again at the PBR Futures Games.  After my first visit early in the summer, I began calling the coaches more often.  I felt very comfortable with them and could see myself ending up at Cincinnati.

PBR: Was the recruiting process what you expected?

Darden: The recruiting process was a little more stressful than I thought just with having to call coaches all the time and sometimes I just wanted to get away from all of it.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience playing summer ball?

Darden: I play for the Midwest Athletics. My most exciting experience was just being able to play against and with so many gifted, talented athletes every week. I play with a great group of guys that help push me to get better as well.

PBR: What were your stats last season?
Darden:  Pitching:  31.33 IP, 2.90 ERA, 52 K, 17 BB, .211 BAA.    Hitting- .432 AVG,

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter you have faced?

Darden: The toughest hitters I faced were in my high school season. Both Jared Char and David Vinsky are very tough outs to get.