PC student signs with UNA

At just 10 years old, Phil Campbell native Peyton Thomas had already fallen in love – with baseball, that is. Now a senior in high school, Thomas has signed on to play baseball with the University of North Alabama.

He signed Nov. 8 surrounded by family, friends, teammates and coaches.

Thomas has played football, basketball and baseball since he was a child, but he said he discovered at age 10 that he preferred baseball.

“I just love it. I love playing it,” he said.

He said the sport is about more than just a player’s ability. It’s mental, and players have to be able to think and make quick decisions.

When he starts at UNA, Thomas said he will be a third baseman, but that is subject to change depending on his growth and what the coach thinks.

“It’s going to be a different kind of competition and setting, but I’m willing to put in the work needed to do my best,” he said.

Thomas has already met and likes head coach Mike Keehn and knows a couple of the players, so he said he isn’t too nervous about the transition. He said, after his first visit with UNA, he knew that was where he wanted to be.

“I just felt at home there, like they’re my type of people, and I fit in better,” he said.