NAME: Thomas Fleming
SCHOOL: Western Hills High School
SPORT(S): Baseball
GRADUATING YEAR: 2024
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'8"-180 lbs.
RESIDENCE: Green Township
PARENT: Tom & Jeanette
FUTURE GOAL: Become a lawyer

West High has not only a star baseball player but a community hero to boot. A four-year varsity starter, senior Thomas Fleming on the baseball team plays pitcher, shortstop and, if needed, catcher.

In his senior year, he accumulated impressive stats both on the mound and at the dish. He hit a robust .467 with three homeruns and 17 RBI, which ranked second in the conference. As a pitcher, he went 4-4 with a league-leading 84 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched. The Mustangs were CMAC Red champs, going an undefeated 8-0 in league play and Thomas was named CMAC-Red Player of the Year for the third straight year. Senior year highlights occurred when he pitched a perfect game vs. Aiken, striking out 16 batters in the process. In a win over Woodward, he hit two home runs and drove in four runs. He had three hits and two RBI in a game vs. Hughes while striking out 17 batters.

This comes on the heels of a star-studded junior campaign for the West High CMAC Red Division league champions. He was named CMAC Red Division Player of the Year for the second straight season when he hit .373 with a league-leading 16 RBI and on the mound was 4-4 with a league-leading 54 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched and a 3.09 ERA. He also threw three shutouts. He was named second-team all-city and was MVP of the Reds Showcase.

Thomas showed that he was more than a fine high school student-athlete when he became a community hero. He rushed to a burning house to help save a couple escape a fire. Thomas earned a Certificate of Recognition from the Green Township Department of Fire & EMS for his life-saving actions during the fire emergency. Even The Cincinnati Reds acknowledged his heroics by allowing him to throw out the first pitch of a game.

"Since walking into West High in 2021, Thomas has shown us what work ethic looks like," says West High varsity baseball coach Felix Moore. "By his sophomore year Thomas became the quiet leader of our team (even though he didn't want that responsibility), leading by example, Thomas was showing his teammates how to stay accountable. The team really responded to Thomas when he threw out the first pitch for the Reds after saving his neighbor's life from the fire. The team was so excited for Thomas as they screamed and cheered for him in the front row. It was one of the best team-bonding moments I've seen."

Thomas is active in community service and plays summer ball for the Home Field Elite team. He will attend the University of Cincinnati in the fall, undecided about whether or not to play baseball. His favorite athlete is Joey Chestnut, favorite entertainer is Matthew McConaughey, favorite movie is Remember of Titans and most-like-to-meet is Joe Burrow.

COACH'S QUOTE – “A key quality about Thomas is he never complains. He will always go out and do what you ask of him. Extremely coachable, and polite, and that comes from his parents Tom & Jeanette.”
—Felix Moore, Varsity Baseball Coach.