BARNESVILLE — Zach Thompson is a baseball junkie.

He’s learned the last two seasons just how much he loves the sport because he’s been away from it.

He missed the majority of the 2019 season due to an injury and obviously this season was shelved before it even began because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Still, however, Thompson has baseball ahead.

The Shamrocks pitcher has signed to continue his academic and athletic careers at Division II Waslsh University, which is located in North Canton.

“I wanted to go to a small school and play baseball and Walsh provided me both of those,” Thompson said.

During his sophomore season, Thompson was an effective arm both as a starter and out of the bullpen for Coach D.J. Butler and the Shamrocks.

“When you consider Zach only played basically two seasons, his stats are even more impressive,” Butler said. “What Zach has accomplished will keep him in our (school) record book for a long time.”

On the bump, Thompson finished his prep career with an 8-2 record and he recorded five saves. He logged 71.2 innings and struck out 78, while issuing just 28 walks. He finished with a solid 1.66 earned run average.

When Thompson wasn’t pitching, he was in the Shamrocks’ every day lineup at third base. Offensively, he slashed .302 for his career and drove in 20 runs.

“Zach is an excellent third baseman and I was also looking for Zach to add to his offensive numbers as well,” Butler continued.

It will be on the mound where Thompson hopes to make an impact for the Cavaliers.

“I will need to improve my off-speed pitches and I’ve been working in the weight room so I can adjust to the college level,” Thompson noted.

Thompson, unfortunately, missed out on another chance to play this summer when American Legion baseball was canceled for the summer.

“It’s very disappointing to miss all of these (different) things, but life goes on and I am ready to move past this,” Thompson said.

Thompson was named All-District Honorable Mention as a freshman.

“When I look back on my high-school career, missing my junior season due to injury was not ideal, but I am thankful that my coaches gave me a chance to play varsity my freshman and sophomore years,” Thompson admitted.

Along with athletics, Thompson was active at Barnesville in Key Club, Varsity B and was a member of the Art Club.

Zach, who is the son of Tim Thompson and Darci Thompson, plans to major in sports management.