2015 - Walker had another solid season for the Lions on the mound in which he set career best in: wins (8) era (2.90) innings pitched (83.2) complete games (7) strikeouts (90) team high) ... Walker also had a starting rotation low batting average against (.227) and whip (1.027) ... Walker also showed great stamina by tying for a team high 7 complete games over his 14 starts
2014 - Walker was named All-MIAA following his second season with the Lions... Finished the season with a 5-5 record and 3.41 ERA... Walker struck out 59 opponents, including 9 Ks in a win over Emporia State... Walkers longest start of the season was an 8.0 IP victory over Minnesota-Crookston, throwing 6 Ks and only allowing 1 ER... Walker also started the season on a four-game win streak... Opponents hit .265 against Walker, only managing 2 HRs through the season.
2013 - Walker was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer as a true freshman for the Lions ... he finished the season with a 6-5 record in 64.1 innings of work ... he held hitters to just a .250 battting average, while ending the year with a 3.50 ERA ... in 16 appearances, he struck out 40 hitters and allowed a team-low 25 earned runs.
Prior to Southern - Walker played for Coach Darnell's brother and former Southern athlete Flave Darnell at Carl Junction. A four-year starter for the Bulldogs at outfield and pitcher, Walker also started for two seasons on the basketball court at CJHS. A three-time all Big-8 Conference selection, Walker was 5-3 as a junior with 66 strikeouts and a 2.20 ERA on the mound, while limiting hitters to just a .225 batting average. In 2010 as a sophomore, he was 8-2 with 85 strikeouts, a 2.90 ERA and limited batters to just .229 while earning his first no-hitter. He helped the Bulldogs to a state runner-up finish in 2009, as well as a district title in 2010. As a junior, he was part of conference championships in both baseball and basketball.
Personal - The son of Mike and Anna Walker, Payton plans to major in business at Southern.
