Humphreys powers West All-Stars in inaugural Ellis Countywide game

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports

WAXAHACHIE — With a full dugout and talent to boot, the West All-Stars cruised to a victory in the first-ever All-Ellis County All-Star baseball game Thursday evening.

Nathan Humphreys, a 2021 Midlothian graduate, set the tone for the West early and often in the 10-3 win. The Dallas Baptist University-bound centerfielder finished the game 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored, RBI, stolen base and walk. 

Humphreys was ultimately named the All-Ellis County All-Star Game MVP for his efforts.

Brady Redmon, a fellow 2021 Midlothian graduate, added the lone other RBI with his base knock in the top of the first. The East committed several fielding miscues that led to seven unearned runs.

Midlothian Heritage’s Blake Wilhoite (2021, 2-3, R) and Sam Sinclair (2022, 1-2, 2B, BB) also aided in the victory. 

The West team was comprised of student-athletes from Midlothian Heritage, Midlothian, Italy and Maypearl. The East team — consisting of Red Oak, Ferris, Waxahachie, Ennis and Palmer — struggled to string together hits on the warm evening.

Each team was coached by volunteers from the community.

“This was a lot of fun and I enjoyed watching it,” Midlothian Heritage head baseball coach Justin Blackwell said. “Having the opportunity to be around baseball right now was fun. I think we all enjoyed watching the kids get to know one another and have fun together. It’s always a good day when I get to watch my guys and root for them, too.

“The kids all got to come together and get to see the other kids from across Ellis County play and see their attributes and strengths. It was really fun.”

Blackwell also applauded the efforts of his four participants — Wilhoite, Graham, Sinclair and Briley Green (2021, P).

— To view photos from the game, click here! — 

East pitcher Casey Kelly (Waxahachie, 2.0IP, 3R, 1ER) was tagged with the loss. He was followed by Fifo Mendez (Ennis, 1.0IP, 3R, 2ER).

Xavien Thompson scored two of the East’s three runs. The Waxahachie graduate and Navarro College signee finished 2-for-3 with a walk.

“It was good to see so many guys from all over the county come and show out,” Thompson said. “I had fun. And I’m glad so many people came out.”

Thompson was quick to tip his cap to Humphreys, too, noting the Midlothian grad “played good. But he’s always playing good. There were a lot of kids out here tonight who played well.”

Thompson is also slated to swing in the second annual All-Ellis County Home Run Derby at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Waxahachie Sports Complex. The lefty said he hopes to send “14 or 15” over the right and center-field fence in the first round.

Ennis’ Clayton Jenkins (2021, 2-2, BB) and Red Oak senior Joshua Jantes (2022, 1-2, 2B) also faired well for the East at the plate.

The game drew a packed house at Richards Park as over 550 filed into the bleachers and the adjacent berm.

The first-ever All-Ellis County All-Star Week included a countywide softball game (Wednesday, June 30 at Paul Richards Park) and a countywide home run derby (Thursday, July 8 at the Waxahachie Sports Complex). All three events were free to the public, thanks to generous community sponsors.

Additional event sponsors included: Home Run sponsors: Tow-Pro Wrecker Service, Ennis Door & Trim, Celebrity Bakery, Wayne Price Heat & Air, Pinnacle Bank – Midlothian, First Financial Bank, Waxahachie RBI Club and Synergy Roofing. Triple sponsors: Elevation Roofing and Restoration and Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson. Double sponsors: Wolverton Air, Matt Authier with Gateway Mortgage, Waxahachie Civic Center, Lance Wallace with Gateway Mortgage, JC Heine HVAC, Pearman Oil & LP Gas, Access Self Storage, Maverick Metal and Area Wide Plumbing of Ellis County. Single Sponsors: First State Bank, Compton’s Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Henry S. Miller and Oma’s Jiffy Burger.

BOX SCORE

WEST — 2 1 3 0 2 0 0 — 8

EAST — 0 0 1 0 2 0 — 3

WEST

Nathan Humphreys (Midlothian, 2021) 2-2, RBI, 2R, SB, BB

Brady Redmon (Midlothian, 2021) 1-3, RBI, R

Blake Wilhoite (Midlo Heritage, 2021) 2-3, R

Elyjiah Berry (Life Waxahachie, 2021) 1-3

Samuel Sinclair (Midlo Heritage, 2021) 1-2, 2B, BB

Gage Wafer (Italy, 2021) 0-3

Andrew Graham (Midlo Heritage, 2022) 1-3, R

Jake Frazier (Maypearl, 2021) 0-2, BB

Clay Payne (Maypearl, 2021) 0-2

Kevin Rasberry (Italy, 2021) 1-2, R

Julian Keys (Life Waxahachie, 2021) 0-1, R, BB

– – –

2B: Sinclair

RBI: Humphreys, Redmon

****MVP Nathan Humphreys****

EAST

Xavien Thompson (Waxahachie, 2021) 2-3, 2R, BB

Jacob Cruz (Waxahachie, 2022) 0-1, R, BB, FC

Clayton Jenkins (Ennis, 2021) 2-2, BB

Hayden Beasley (Palmer, 2021) 1-2, BB

Easten Smith (Red Oak, 2022) 0-3

Anthony Mata (Waxahachie, 2021) 0-2, BB

Casey Kelly (Waxahachie, 2021) 0-2, BB

Jaxson Crow (Waxahachie, 2023) 0-3

Joshua Jantes (Red Oak, 2022) 1-2, 2B

Kanon Gajdica (Ferris, 2022) 0-3

– – –

2B: Jantes

____

Travis M. Smith, @Travis5mith

tsmith@kbec.com