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He has a strong supporting cast on the Dream Team. Brookhaven senior Nick Helmstetter is the Most Valuable Offensive Player and Loyd Star senior Drew Weaver is the Most Valuable Defensive Player.
Joining Weaver on the pitching staff are Ryan Kennedy of Enterprise and Brandon Foster of Brookhaven. The other catchers are Zach Williams of West Lincoln and Travis Keene of Loyd Star.
Infielders include Brett Rushing of West Lincoln, Will Gatlin of Brookhaven Academy, Korey Allen of Loyd Star and Chris Seals and Gabe Wilson of Brookhaven.
The outfielders are Matt Magee of West Lincoln, Jarvis Wilbert and Elliott McKee of Brookhaven and Colton McClendon of Bogue Chitto.
Designated hitters are Helmstetter and Bud Britt of Brookhaven.
Utility players are Zach Halliwell of Brookhaven, Michael Martin of Bogue Chitto and Tyler Case of West Lincoln.
The all-purpose player is Seth Avants of Bogue Chitto. The Dream Team was selected by the DL's sports department, with input provided by area high school and college coaches.
Byrd, standing 6-feet tall and weighing 225 pounds, was an MVP on defense as a linebacker last football season, helping the Cougars win the District 4-AA championship. His future is in baseball. His Pop Time, on throws to second base, is an impressive 1.8 seconds. His bat speed impressed MPSA South All-Star coach Larry Wesson.
"Byrd's power is off the charts," said Wesson. "The ball comes off his bat differently than other players."
Byrd continues to work on his batting skills. He takes private lessons and plays for the Jackson 96ers during the summer. He recently participated in a Cincinnati Reds Showcase in Birmingham, Ala.
"I've worked at improving my framing for pitch location," said Byrd. "I've also worked on my opposite field hitting."
In last weekend's All-Star Game, Byrd ripped an opposite field, RBI double and a single.
Short on pitching depth this season, the BA Cougars finished 12-10 under sixth-year head coach Stephen Cooksey who resigned under pressure last month. Byrd said he is confident he will have an opportunity to play as a true freshman on the MSU squad.
"I think I have a good shot," said Byrd. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity."
His favorite Major League Baseball player is Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann.
Nick Helmstetter (6-0, 190), a right-hander, has signed with Meridian Community College. He anchored the Panthers in an injury-plagued 20-8 campaign. He overcame an early-season ankle injury to post an impressive .508 batting average that included 22 RBIs and 1 home run.
On the mound, Helmstetter compiled a 5-3 record. Among his statistics was a stingy 0.71 ERA. He struck out 82 batters and walked 21.
"Nick became a lot more patient at the plate," said Ole Brook coach Randy Spring. "He cut down on his strikeouts and got more walks. He was more consistent."
Helmstetter said he uses an Easton SV12 bat that is 33 inches long and weighs 30 ounces. He will play in the June 6 All-Star Game at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
"I've been a more patient batter this year," said Helmstetter. "I try to keep the ball in play."
He is working as a pitcher and centerfielder for the Jackson 96ers this summer. He said he was pleased with his performance in the Cincinnati Showcase.
"It was a real good experience," said Helmstetter. "There were only five or six high school players. The rest of the 40 were in college."
His dream is to play professional baseball. His favorite player is Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. His favorite team is the Boston Red Sox.
"My dream is to play pro ball," said Helmstetter. "Whatever God has planned for me. I'm thankful for the opportunities He has given me."
Drew Weaver (6-0, 170), a right-hander, compiled a 10-3 record this season. He posted a 1.76 ERA and struck out 72 batters, leading the Hornets to the third round of the Class 2A state playoffs and a 20-10 record.
"Drew worked hard on his spots," explained Loyd Star coach Jonathan Breakfield. "That helped him in the long run. He usually didn't walk more than two a game."
Weaver has signed a scholarship with Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He throws a fastball, curve and changeup.
Asked about his season, Weaver said, "Mainly I worked on spotting up. That helped me a lot."
He said his best performance this season was a 9-inning, 5-4 victory over St. Andrew's.
"Our team fought hard at the end of the season," said Weaver. "We became close, like a family."
Weaver said his favorite Major League player is pitcher John Smoltz. "He can throw smoke with gas on it. He never gives up."
At the plate, Weaver batted .315 and helped his cause with 30 RBIs.
Seth Avants, a versatile senior athlete who starred in football and basketball, finished the baseball season on a high note, signing with Co-Lin. The right-hander batted .490, hitting a county-best 12 home runs. He stole 19 of 23 bases and posted a 6-3 pitching record for Coach Curt Crain's Bobcats who posted an 11-10 worksheet, their first winning record in 9 years.
Brandon Foster, a junior southpaw, fashioned a 7-3 record for the BHS Panthers. He had a 2.37 ERA, striking out 56 batters and walking 30 in 47 innings.
Ryan Kennedy, a senior southpaw, has signed with Co-Lin. He posted a 5-2 record. He struck out 76 batters and had a 1.30 ERA as Coach Cass Brister's Yellow Jackets (9-8) advanced to the Class 2A state playoffs.
Zach Williams, a senior catcher, has signed with Co-Lin. He batted .419 this season for the Bears.
Travis Keene, a sophomore catcher, hit 5 homers and batted .345 for the Hornets.
Brett Rushing, a senior infielder, pitcher and catcher, batted .431, hit 6 homers and collected 25 RBIs as Coach Steve Barrington's Bears (13-8) advanced to the Class 1A state playoffs.
Will Gatlin, a junior, batted .440 for the Cougars.
Chris Seals, a sophomore, batted .451 for the Panthers.
Gabe Wilson, a sophomore, batted .372 for the Panthers. He had a .924 fielding percentage at shortstop.
Korey Allen, a sophomore, batted .293 for Loyd Star. He also hit 5 homers and drove in 27 runs.
Matt Magee, a sophomore, batted .456 for the West Lincoln Bears, collecting 26 RBIs.
Jarvis Wilbert, a senior, batted .438 for the Panthers and had 23 RBIs.
Elliott McKee, a junior, batted .314 for the Panthers.
Colton McClendon, a freshman, batted .351 for the Bogue Chitto Bobcats.
Bud Britt, a senior, was slowed by an early-season injury to his (right) pitching arm but was able to provide the Panthers with a big bat. He had a .461 batting average and hit 3 homers, collecting 29 RBIs.
Britt postponed his Tommy John arm surgery until after the season was completed. He has signed with Co-Lin.
Zach Halliwell, a junior, batted .351 for the Panthers and hit 4 homers.
Michael Martin, a junior, batted .324 for the Bobcats. He also had a 5-3 record on the mound.
Tyler Case, a junior, batted .324 for the Bears and posted a 2-0 pitching record.
HONORABLE MENTION
Bogue Chitto: Garrett Wallace, Max Adams.
Brookhaven: Nick Peavey, Patrick Valentine, E.J. Henderson, Isaac Jones, J.D. Britt.
Brookhaven Academy: Jeremy Foster, Tripp Jolly, Gage Posey, Scottie Peavey.
Enterprise: Travis Leggett, Tanner Delcambre, Ky Burke, Jarrett Todd.
Loyd Star: J.J. Jones, Marquis Hayes, T.J. Floyd, Leebo Bairfield, Cody Smith.
West Lincoln: Nathaniel Pruski, Micah Bivens, James Magee.
