Former UL baseball player Dillon Guillory is chasing the dream.

This one, though, has nothing to do with playing in the majors. Rather, it’s the one that involves jumping out of airplanes.

For his country.

Guillory — a Teurlings Catholic High product who lettered for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 2008-10 at first base and catcher — threw out the ceremonial first pitch before UL’s 1-0 win over Western Kentucky on Saturday night at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

The Private First Class is on leave from the U.S. Army, which currently has him stationed in Italy as an Airborne Paratrooper while awaiting an upcoming tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Guillory, who flew in from Europe on Friday, opted to forego his final season of eligibility to enlist.

"I felt at the time it was an important thing to do in my life. It’s something I wanted to do," he said. "I finished school, and just wanted to take another big step in my life, and felt it was right to serve my country."

The teamwork he learned playing for the Cajuns, Guillory suggested, has aided his military career.

"Realizing you’re a part of something bigger than yourself — the name on your back is not as big as the one on your chest — is part of that," he said.

"I miss the guys — the camaraderie. But I get it over there," Guillory added. "And I hope the guys understand — this is a game, but it’s just a game. Over there, it’s the real deal.

Athletic Network Footnote:

Click here for WKU vs. UL Baseball photo gallery of April 7, 2012