GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) 鈥� East Carolina sophomore Parker Byrd appeared in Friday's Rider with a prosthetic leg after having part of his right leg amputated following a 2022 boating accident.
The school said Byrd is believed to be the first NCAA Division I baseball player to play in a game with a prosthetic leg. Athletic spokesman Malcolm Gray said the Byrd family researched for any other examples. NCAA spokesman Greg Johnson said the organization doesn't track that type of record.
Byrd, an in-state product from Laurinburg, walked to the plate in the eighth inning to a loud ovation from the home crowd. He took a first-pitch strike then drew four straight balls to reach base. The Pirates then had freshman Jason Janesko come on as a pinch runner.
鈥淐hill bumps, man," Byrd said in his postgame interview with reporters. "It's absolutely phenomenal.鈥�
Pirates coach Cliff Godwin that it was 鈥渙ne of the proudest moments I have ever had as a coach.鈥�
鈥淗e鈥檚 going to get some more,鈥� Godwin said. 鈥淏ut he's worked his tail off. It was super-emotional.
鈥淭he umpire behind home plate told me when I was making a change, he said he's been umpiring for 17, 18 years, and it's the coolest moment he's ever been a part of. So he said he was tearing up back there, as I was, when he was running off the field.鈥�
___
AP college sports:
The Associated Press
