Aug. 15, 2014
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech baseball program boasts multiple ties to this year’s Little League World Series that is underway in Williamsport, Pa.
In addition to Yellow Jacket great Nomar Garciaparra serving on ESPN’s broadcast team, one of Garciaparra’s Tech teammates has a son playing in the event. Lastly, incoming freshman Blake Jackson played for the 2009 Warner Robins team reached Williamsport.
Drew Byers, who is the son of Scott Byers, in the starting shortstop for the team from South Nashville, Tenn. The elder Byers was Tech’s starting first baseman on the 1994 team that was coached by Danny Hall, and included future Major Leaguers Jason Varitek, Jay Payton and Brad Rigby.
That ’94 squad was Tech’s first team to reach the College World Series, falling to Oklahoma in the national championship game.
Drew’s team plays its first game Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPN versus the Mid-Atlantic champion.
Scott completed his collegiate career in 1996, earning second-team All-ACC honors that season while hitting .324 with 15 homers and 62 RBI. He stands second all-time at Tech in doubles (70), 14th in RBI (181) and 15th in games played (217).
