SHREVEPORT, La. – The C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets baseball team opened the 2023 season with a resounding 9-2 win over the Loyola College Prep Flyers Monday night at Byrd’s Baseball Field a.ka. “The Hive.”

Byrd got off to a quick start by scoring four runs in the first inning. Sophomore third baseman Zach Wilburn tripled and would score on Brooks Brossette’s sacrifice fly. The Jackets would plate three more runs as Kaleb Smith, Hayden Hoffpauir and Lake Lambert each collected an extra-base hit.

The Yellow Jackets pounded out 13 hits on the day. Wilburn, Lambert, Hoffpauir, Walker Fox, and Smith each had multiple hits for the Jackets. Wilburn went 3-for-5 at the plate to pace the Byrd offense.

Smith, a senior right-hander, earned the win for Byrd by allowing just three hits and one run over three innings, striking out three and walking one. Kevin Robinson, Hoffpauir, and Dawson Meeks all put in work in relief out of the bullpen, steering the Jackets towards the victory.

Coyle took the loss for Loyola Flyers. The pitcher lasted two and two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs while striking out three.

The Jackets also tore up the base paths, as three players stole at least two bases with Brossette leading the way with three steals. Another highlight for Byrd was that the Jackets didn’t commit an error in the game.

Byrd returns to action on Thursday when the Yellow Jackets play host to the Texas High Tigers at Byrd’s Baseball Field a.k.a. “The Hive.” Byrd is slated to play three more games over the weekend, versus Ruston on Friday, then Ouachita Christian and St. Frederick’s on Saturday afternoon.

123  456  7    R  H  E

LCP        010  010  0 – 2  3  1

BHS        412  101  x – 9 13 0