The Moonshot. For Sterlin Thompson It's His Most Unforgettable Moment As A Gator

“It was something I have always dreamed of since a kid,” said Thompson.

By KYLE CURTIS

GatorBaitMedia.Com

Davis Hare was fixated on Sterlin Thompson in the bottom of the ninth with a 1-1 count with the game on the line. His next pitch would be the final one of the night, a curveball that was left hanging over the middle.

Coincidentally, Thompson’s favorite pitch.

Boom. Game, set, match.

“It was something I have always dreamed of since a kid,” said Thompson.

It was an absolute moon shot that gave Florida fans Deja Vu from last year when Kendrick Calilao put Florida Ballpark on their feet when he walked off the Seminoles in similar fashion.

This was Sterlin Thompson’s favorite moment during his time in Gainesville.

“Just being with my teammates, that was probably the best moment,” said Thompson. “I was happy to see my teammates proud of me, it was also something that helped us host, it was a big win.”

Thompson closed out his sophomore campaign with Florida with a .332 average accumulating 16 home runs and 78 RBIs over two seasons.

Along with his stellar numbers at Florida, Thompson is also rated the No. 27 overall 2022 MLB draft prospect according to MLB Pipeline. With the draft coming up July 17th Thompson has a lot to be excited about, yet he hasn’t forgotten where his baseball roots originated from.

“Ocala has been great, it’s a great town to live in,” said Thompson. “I lived here and grew up here and feel it is very competitive on the baseball aspect of things. There’s a lot of great players that come out of Ocala and get a chance to move on to the next level.”

During his early days around the baseball parks in Ocala, Thompson was strictly an infielder all the way through high school. Once arriving on campus Thompson shifted to right field for the first time, although he made the transition seamlessly.

When sophomore year rolled around, he once again started at right field to begin the year. After a few mid-season shifts, Thompson returned to where he was comfortable, second base, for the second half of the season. It did not take long to shake off the rust for Thompson as he made web gem after web gem for the Gators.

But which position does he enjoy the most?

“I would say infielder,” said Thompson. “Growing up I played shortstop and all of infield in high school. That is kind of where I am most comfortable. My first year with the Gators I had to develop a lot really quick, to be ready and be in the starting lineup and play right field. At that point I was trying to do anything to get in the lineup and help the team.”

A versatile fielder and hitter, Thompson excelled for the Gators over the past two years as an all-around prospect. He will wait to hear his name called on the night of July 16th with an organization getting lucky to draft him.

“It is great to be a Florida Gator, always,” concluded Thompson.

For Sterling and UF that has worked both ways.