Parker Byrd has added another chapter to his inspirational story.
Byrd, a sophomore infielder/right-handed pitcher for the East Carolina Pirates, lost his right leg in a boating accident in 2022. He underwent 22 surgeries as a result.
Yet, with intense determination, Byrd worked his way back onto the baseball diamond last season. He took three plate appearances with the Pirates in 2024, and he's one of the few players to play in a Division I game with a prosthetic leg.
Byrd received his first plate appearance of this season on Wednesday against VCU, and he made it count.
Appearing as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning, Byrd drove a ball into right field that was deep enough to score Walker Barron from third base. The sacrifice fly gave Byrd the first RBI of his collegiate career and contributed to the Pirates’ 11-1 victory.
Byrd received raucous cheers from his teammates as he made his way back to the dugout. And no matter what team you root for, everyone who sees what Byrd is accomplishing right now should be cheering him on just the same.