Ripon’s fourth-year senior pitcher showed off all of her skills in two home wins last week.

On Friday, April 16, she led the Indians (3-4 Valley Oak League, 4-4 overall) to a 4-1 victory over Sierra. The visiting Timberwolves plated their lone run in the sixth but threatened to close the gap further with one out and a runner third. Thomason initiated the inning-ending 1-3-2 double play, taking a comebacker and looking the runner on third back to the base before firing to first.  

Offensively, Thomason hit a solo homer and also reached on a bunt single. From the pitcher’s circle, she struck out 11 in a four-hitter. She also struck out 11 two days prior in a 2-0 three-hit shutout of visiting East Union. Thomason locked down the win in the top of the seventh when the Lancers had runners in scoring position with one out. She got out of it with a pop-up and a strikeout.

A two-way producer and versatile athlete, the 6-foot Thomason is continuing her career at NCAA Division II University of Nebraska at Kearney.

“We always talk about having all five tools in softball: speed, arm strength, good fielder, good batting average, good power — Syd is a six-tool player,” Ripon coach Robert Vernon said. “She’s been blessed with the ability to pitch. She has great control and an undetectable changeup that has carried this team for a few years.”