Junior pitcher Taylor Byrd, who transferred from Pearl River Community College, recently started his first season for the Colonels.
Last season, Byrd had a 3.86 earned run average and 31 strikeouts. He took some time out after a Nicholls win to talk to the Nicholls Worth.  

Q: Do you do any kind of rituals before a game?

A: I guess listening to music before a game. I always do that.

Q: What do you like to listen to?

A: l like the Dave Matthews Band. It keeps me calm.

Q: In most sports, people want to get excited, but in baseball, you like to stay calm?

A: Yeah, especially as a starting pitcher. I like to calm myself down as much as I can before I go out there and pitch.

Q: Did playing baseball make you appreciate being left-handed?

A: Yeah, definitely. It is rare to be a left-handed pitcher. I’m just really lucky to be left-handed. It’s a plus.

Q: How do you keep yourself motivated for so many games?

A: We’re going after the Southland championship. We just have to stay motivated and stay hooked up. It is a long journey, but we have to stay focused and be prepared every day.

Q: How did you get into baseball?

A: I’ve been playing baseball since I was really young. I play all sports throughout high school, and I just stuck with baseball.

Q: How do you keep up with class, even when you are frustrated with a loss?
A: You just can’t think about it too much. You have to go day by day. If you do lose, you just have to start the next day. The next day is a new day. You have to stop worrying about and win the next day.

Q: You transferred, so how is it at Nicholls?

A: I like it. I transferred from junior college, and this is Division I baseball. It has always been a dream of mine. I am really enjoying it so far.

Q: What’s your favorite pitch?

A: I like to throw my fastball.

Q: How fast do you throw?

A: I average in the low 90s.