Bombers Sign Local Talent
The Bombers have signed Dubois County natives Derek Katter and Brett Merkley for the 2009 summer. Katter, a graduate of Jasper High School will man the outfield. Merkley, who spent his high school days at Forest Park, joins the Bombers as a right-handed pitcher. For more information, vist the news tab at the top of the page for the release.
Ht:
6' 5"
Wt:
225
School:
U. of South Alabama
B/T:
L/L
Hometown:
Hurley, Miss.
Phillip Byrd
Sophomore; Left-Handed Pitcher
Fall 2008:
Made five appearances and posted 18 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work...
Led team with 10.13 strikeouts per nine innings ¨ Went 3.0 innings and allowed two runs in first intrasquad game (9/21) ¨ Struck out four without issuing a walk ¨ Started game two of Red and Blue World Series (10/5) ¨ Went 3.1 innings and allowed five earned runs ¨ Cruised through first three innings facing just one over the minimum, but got into trouble with a leadoff walk and an error fourth inning ¨ Started game five (10/11) and got a no-decision ¨ Allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts in 5.0 innings ¨ In first game of doubleheader vs. Meridian (10/18), struggled with command and allowed two runs on one hit with four walks in 2.0 innings of relief ¨ Recorded at least three strikeouts in all five outings.
High School: Went undefeated with a 14-0 record and a 0.97 ERA in 94.0 innings pitched as a senior at East Central High School in Hurley, Miss. ¨ Added 165 strikeouts for an impressive 15.8 strikeouts per nine innings ¨ Also hit .393 with six homers and 38 RBI ¨ Named Second-Team All-American by MaxPreps ¨ Same publication also named him to First-Team Medium School All-American list and declared him "the top pitcher in Mississippi ¨ Team won district championships in all four seasons ¨ State champions in 2008 ¨ Holds school record for wins in a season (14) ¨ Also played football for two years and soccer for four years.
Personal: Born Nov. 13, 1989 ¨ Middle of three sons to Michael and Mary Ann Byrd ¨ Has an older brother, Stanley, and a younger brother, Jacob ¨ Chose USA over Auburn and Mississippi State ¨ Hobbies are fishing and hunting ¨ Favorite movie is Happy Gilmore and favorite book is the Bible ¨ Listens to Brad Paisley, Matt Wertz and Killswitch Engage ¨ Favorite athletes are Peyton Manning and Randy Johnson ¨ Would like to meet Adam Sandler and Brad Paisley ¨ Favorite foods are seafood, steak and deer ¨ Likes to write down quotes that he hears ¨ Would like to play professional baseball and eventually coach.
High School: Went undefeated with a 14-0 record and a 0.97 ERA in 94.0 innings pitched as a senior at East Central High School in Hurley, Miss. ¨ Added 165 strikeouts for an impressive 15.8 strikeouts per nine innings ¨ Also hit .393 with six homers and 38 RBI ¨ Named Second-Team All-American by MaxPreps ¨ Same publication also named him to First-Team Medium School All-American list and declared him "the top pitcher in Mississippi ¨ Team won district championships in all four seasons ¨ State champions in 2008 ¨ Holds school record for wins in a season (14) ¨ Also played football for two years and soccer for four years.
Personal: Born Nov. 13, 1989 ¨ Middle of three sons to Michael and Mary Ann Byrd ¨ Has an older brother, Stanley, and a younger brother, Jacob ¨ Chose USA over Auburn and Mississippi State ¨ Hobbies are fishing and hunting ¨ Favorite movie is Happy Gilmore and favorite book is the Bible ¨ Listens to Brad Paisley, Matt Wertz and Killswitch Engage ¨ Favorite athletes are Peyton Manning and Randy Johnson ¨ Would like to meet Adam Sandler and Brad Paisley ¨ Favorite foods are seafood, steak and deer ¨ Likes to write down quotes that he hears ¨ Would like to play professional baseball and eventually coach.
