Orillia’s Wyatt Thompson has been dominant in his second season of playing Division 3 baseball for Thomas College in Waterville, Maine.
The 20-year-old Twin Lakes Secondary School graduate has a 1.93 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and a 2-0 record when pitching in conference games this season.
“It’s been going well,” Thompson said. “I’m enjoying it, I’m staying on top of my grades, and our team is one of only four teams from our conference who have made the playoffs.”
Thompson, a six-foot-five sophomore, says he’s enjoyed putting his talents to the test against some of the best players his age from around the United States.
“The competition is definitely a lot higher than I’m used to,” he said. “Back home you can make a mistake and get away with it, but here there is a lot less room for error.”
While Thompson’s numbers may look impressive to Division 1 or 2 schools, he’s not confident that his velocity would lead to success at the next level.
“I’m a junk guy,” he said with a chuckle. “I throw a lot of curve balls.”
Thompson’s goal is to finish his college tenure with Thomas College by winning the division championship. He has two more seasons left to achieve his dream.
“Just being a part of this team and growing close with teammates has been an incredible experience,” he said. “It would be awesome to win with this group.”
Thompson has been offered the chance to play in the Western Canadian Baseball League this summer with the Swift Current 57s. While he is considering the opportunity, he may return home this summer to play with the Orillia Royals in the Junior Division of the North Dufferin Baseball League.
Last season with the Royals, the right-handed pitcher won the MVP award among the league's junior players.
“It meant a lot to me,” he said. “It was pretty cool.”
Down in the States, Thompson has been named the North Atlantic Conference pitcher of the week twice.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “It feels like the work I’m putting in is paying off.”
Once Thompson has thrown his final pitch, he plans on coming back to Canada to get his pilot's licence.
“I’m currently majoring in finance,” Thompson explained. “But being a pilot is something I plan on exploring down the road.”
Thompson says he’s learned through achieving his dream of playing NCAA sports that anything is possible.
“This was a chance that I will never get again,” he said. “If I had tried and it didn’t work out, then I wouldn’t have been worse off because of it.”
Thompson thanks his father for helping him live out his dreams.
“I always played catch with him growing up,” he said. “He taught me how to throw and he has put me in a position to succeed.”
