 He was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia University, where he played college baseball for the Mountaineers from 1935–1937.In a five-season career, Barna was a .232 hitter with 12 home runs and 96 RBI in 207 games played.His best season statistically was , when he posted 85 hits, seven triples, six home runs, 39 runs, 58 RBI, 104 games – all career-highs.