By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

Wapahani 2016 left-handed pitcher Zack Thompson recently committed to the University of Kentucky. The 6-foot-2, 180 pound southpaw is currently ranked No. 3 in Indiana's class of 2016 rankings and No. 17 in PBR's overall class of 2016 rankings.  

Thompson had quite the sophomore season, leading Wapahani to the class 2A state championship and leading the Hoosier state in several pitching categories.

Thompson was impressive throughout his 2014 campaign with a fastball reaching the low 90's and establishing himself as one of the elite left-handed arms throughout the Midwest.  He was also a member of Team Indiana at the 2014 Future Games. 

PBR: Ultimately, why did you choose Kentucky? 

Thompson: I chose Kentucky because they were the right combination of everything I was looking for both academically and athletically. 

PBR: When did Kentucky first see you compete? 

Thompson: They first saw me at their winter camp my freshman year.  They first saw me compete at the sectional championship against Frankton in June. 

PBR: When did you take your first visit down to Lexington? 

Thompson: I first visited Kentucky early last Spring. 

PBR: You had numerous schools interested in you, what were your final choices? 

Thompson: Notre Dame, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Indiana State, Ball State, Arizona State, Duke 

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play when you first arrive on campus? 

Thompson: The coaches expect me to work hard and compete for a starting spot. 

PBR: You played for Team Indiana at the Future Games this past August, talk about your experience playing in that event. 

Thompson: I had a great experience playing for Team Indiana. It was a wonderful opportunity to play with some of the best talent in Indiana and expose myself to college coaches. 

PBR: You play for the Indiana Bulls in the summer/fall, how has playing with them helped you develop as a baseball player? 

Thompson: Playing for the Indiana Bulls has allowed me to receive excellent coaching, play against the best talent in the country, and get exposed to college coaches. 

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player? 

Thompson: My family and Mike Shirley 

PBR: You had an amazing run last spring, leading Wapahani to the class 2A championship as well as leading the state in numerous pitching categories. Talk a little about your experience last season as a sophomore. 

Thompson: Our high school team put in a lot of hard work over the winter to get ready for the season. Things really came together for us and we had a great season.  The state tournament run was an unbelievable experience and I am excited that I was a part of the first baseball state championship for Wapahani. 

PBR: What are your goals both personally and as a team heading in to next spring at Wapahani? 

Thompson: To improve overall as a player and as a team to win another state title. 

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter and/or pitcher you've faced in Indiana? 

Thompson: Trey Ball 

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date? 

Thompson: Winning a state championship

2014 future games team indiana

Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
Brady Bain	IN	Mooresville	2016	C
Milo Beam	IN	Westfield	2016	OF	Purdue
Cameron Beauchamp	IN	Peru	2016	LHP
Zach Britton	IN	Batesville	2017	C	Louisville
Connor Christman	IN	Noblesville	2016	3B	Butler
Jake Clawson	IN	Yorktown	2016	3B
Jake Franklin	IN	Roncalli	2016	SS	Missouri
Mitchell Garrity	IN	Perry Meridian	2016	OF	Purdue
Conner Hasecuster	IN	Shelbyville	2016	SS	Evansville
Kody Hoese	IN	Griffith	2016	SS	Tulane
Cal Krueger	IN	Jasper	2016	3B	Indiana
Dalton Laney	IN	Rockville	2016	RHP
Collin Lollar	IN	Columbus North	2016	RHP	Ohio State
Tyler Lucas	IN	Roncalli	2016	LHP
Ryan Pepiot	IN	Westfield	2016	RHP
Justin Reed	IN	Lawrence North	2016	RHP	Indiana
Andrew Saalfrank	IN	Heritage	2016	LHP	Indiana
Brady Sheehan	IN	Homestead	2016	C
Skylar Szynski	IN	Penn	2016	RHP	Indiana
Zack Thompson	IN	Wapahani	2016	LHP	Kentucky
Roy Thurman	IN	North Central	2017	OF
Takahiro Yamada	IN	Columbus East	2016	SS	Butler