WEST PALM BEACH — Trevor Thomas will keep playing baseball for as long as he can.

Back when Thomas graduated from Okeechobee High School in 2017 after playing four years for the Brahmans, he wasn’t sure if he had played his final game.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder from the Brighton Reservation still had a strong desire to continue playing, but didn’t know if or where he could play collegiately. His decision to play in a junior college showcase – hoping a school would notice him – proved to be a smart move. Thomas was noticed by a coach from Warner University, and, soon after, had a place that he’s called his academic and baseball home for the past four years.

It turns out Thomas’s baseball career at Warner will be four years, plus one.

Because the pandemic forced spring sports to cease early last year, players were given another year of eligibility. Thomas didn’t hesitate in making his decision.

“I wanted to play another year,” said Thomas, who will return next season in Lake Wales as a graduate student.

As for this season, Warner made some noise in the Sun Conference tournament in May. Seeded No. 5 in the six-team tournament, Warner surprised some people by winning its first two games. The Royals were within two outs of advancing to the championship, but failed to hold a three-run lead and fell to the University of South Carolina-Beaufort, 6-5, in 10 innings May 8 at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach. Warner was ousted from the tournament with a loss the next day.

Thomas came off the bench late in the tournament opener against St. Thomas and notched a single in his only at-bat. Warner won 18-16 as the teams combined for staggering numbers, including 38 hits, five home runs, 15 walks and 25 runners left on base.

After the tournament, Warner received a bid to the NAIA regionals in Tennessee, but went 0-2 with a 10-9 loss to Indiana University Southeast and a 7-3 loss to University of Northwestern Ohio. Despite the setback, Thomas looked at the bright side.

“It was a great experience. Good tournament, good teams, and it was a nice scenery change,” said Thomas, who played in a defensive role late in the Indiana game and did not play in the season finale.

For the season, Thomas’s roles fluctuated between being a starter and a sub. He batted .220 with 11 hits and six RBIs in 50 trips.

“I was pretty happy with the way the season went,” Thomas said. “I played good defense. I didn’t hit as well as I wanted.”

Thomas certainly was firing on all cylinders April 10 in Miami Gardens. He went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, two doubles, one walk and two runs scored in a 14-13 win against Florida Memorial. His RBI double knotted the game at 13-13.

Thomas said he hadn’t been hitting well leading up to the game and was surprised when he saw his name in the starting lineup.

Off the field, Thomas, son of Gene and Michele Thomas, graduated this spring with a degree in agribusiness. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration. When his academic days are done, he hopes to get a job on a ranch and work his way up through the business, preferably working for the tribe.