Byrd and Tyra Signs with Howard Payne

The duo of Chris Byrd (Lake Jackson, TX) and Ian Tyra (Red Oak, TX) will be taking their talents from Cedar Valley College to Howard Payne University, after signing with the Yellow Jackets to continue their collegiate baseball careers.

After transferring to the Suns program for the 2016 season, Chris Byrd registered a batting average of .318 in 31 games. During that year, Byrd also notched 21 hits, nine runs, nine RBIs, and three stolen bases on his way to a Metro Athletic Conference Honorable Mention at second base.

Signing with CVC out of high school in 2014, Ian Tyra bounced back in a major way for the Suns after missing 2015 due to a season ending shoulder injury. In 33 games, Tyra recorded a .337 batting average with 31 hits, 18 runs, eight RBIs, and seven doubles.

"Ian Tyra & Chris Byrd both started the Spring 2016 Season as relief pitchers for the SUNS. Our team and position players were plagued by early and mid-season injuries, that allowed both Tyra and Byrd to break into the line-up. Both players ended up playing more than half of our season as Utility Guys playing in any position to help the club. These Guys were "GRINDERS"!!! No matter where you put each one of them, Outfield, Infield, Pitch, 3B, wherever...they competed!! Both ended with an Batting Average over .300 and both had an On-Base Percentage over .400...What else can I ask for? Both were huge contributors and a reason why we were able to stay in the playoff hunt until the last weekend series." says CVC Head Baseball Coach Robert Dally.

Howard Payne University is a four year institution in Brownwood, Texas, that competes in the American Southwest Conference and is NCAA Division III sanctioned.

Follow Cedar Valley College's Athletic Department on Twitter: @CVC_Suns