MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball senior infielder Carmen Byrd sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss how she ended up at South Alabama, what she plans on doing after graduation and her favorite form of social media, among other topics.

Byrd comes to South Alabama after transferring from Spring Hill College after stellar three-year career with the Badgers.  While with at SHC, she was part of three Southern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SIAC) West Division titles and a SHC squad that won 59 of their 61 regular-season league games.  Byrd left program ranked among the all-time leaders in several single-season categories — batting average (.430, second, 2015), runs (50, third, 2016) and (40, tied-eighth, 2015), hits (64, fourth, 2015), triples (7, tied-first, 2015).  As a freshman, she was selected a Top 10 finalist for the inaugural NFCA Division II National Freshman of the Year Trophy after leading the Badgers in hitting with a .430 batting average.   

You played your first three years at Spring Hill and had a solid career with the Badgers.  Talk about how you ended up at South Alabama?
"I actually thought about transferring from Spring Hill after my freshman season, but I was offered a scholarship there that I couldn't turn down and I held off.  After our coach took another job and we lost most of our starters, I felt that it was the right time to make the move and go achieve what I wanted to.  I've always wanted to play at the Division I level."

What does it mean to you to be able to play at a different school still so close to home?
"It means a lot to me actually because it still allows my family to come watch me play and do what I've been working so hard for after all these years of playing travel ball, going to school and having lessons; it's finally all come together."

What kind of an impact do you hope to make on the team this season?
"I want to definitely make an impact on the line up this season.  I wanting to have a .300 average and really contribute any way I can on the bases."

What has the fall semester been like for you?
"The semester has been a lot for me because I've had and internship, study hall hours, along with taking 18 hours of courses and then softball, so there's a lot of time management and not a lot of free time."

What is one area of your game that you are looking at improving in this season and why?
"It's definitely my hitting.  I am able to slap and hit in a regular stance, but we've been working on improving my standing still hitting for several weeks."

You are coming in as a senior transfer from Spring Hill, do you feel you have an advantage over the other newcomers?
"I feel that I have experience.  During the fall at Spring Hill, we played teams like Alabama, so I have that experience against that competition.  I know what the college games feel like."

What type of player can fans expect to see out of the field?
"Definitely an aggressive player.  A lot of people have told me that they enjoy watching me play because I'm upbeat out there and not a mellow type of player.  I bring a lot of energy to the field."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm majoring in interdisciplinary studies right now.  I came in as an accounting major, but I decided to change.   My main focus is just getting a degree so I can go straight into the MBA program."

What is one interesting thing that Jaguar fans may not know about you?
"I enjoy couponing."

What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"It's definitely a pride thing.  All of the athletes here at South are proud to be a Jaguar."

Do you have any pregame superstitions?
"I'm actually not that superstitious."

What's your favorite meal?
"I like Chinese and Mexican."

As someone coming in with college experience, what advice would you give to the other newcomers?
"I would tell them to try their best and give 100 percent.  Freshman year is a time to learn new things, but it's a clean slate and just try your best; you can't go wrong from trying your best."

What's your favorite form of social media?
"Instagram.  I like looking at the pictures, but I also use Facebook to get all my news from."

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
"My parents have just pushed me to achieve what I wanted to do.  After my freshman year, they were supportive of me staying at Spring Hill, but then they supported me when I wanted to transfer here to South."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear.  All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.

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