Prior to the ICC baseball team's three-inning intra-squad game on Wednesday night, former Cougar and Hall of Famer Jim Thome talked with student-athletes who were in the Ramsey Gym bleachers about dreaming big.  The slugger, who hit 612 home runs in his MLB career, must have caught the attention of sophomore Ben Nofsinger, who blasted a three-run home run of his own to cap off a perfect night at the newly dedicated Thome Fields.  Thome, who was in the Cougars' dugout, gave Nofsinger a handshake and big hug to show his approval of the blast. 

Thome, originally from Bartonville, played one year of baseball and basketball at ICC in 1988-89 before playing 22 seasons in the big leagues.  He was back on campus for the first time in 30 years and was in awe of the way the campus and athletic department have grown since he once walked the halls.  He raved at the facilities, including the state-of-the-art CougarPlex with a renovated weight room and indoor hitting cage, and addressed the Cougar athletes emphasizing a "we before me" mentality and the importance of hard work and self-confidence. 

He was the guest of honor at the ICC Educational Foundation dinner where the fields were officially dedicated in his name and did a sit-down interview with WEEK Sports' Director Jim Mattson.  Dinner guests then followed Thome out to the fields and took in the intra-squad between head coach Brett Kelley's Royal and Gold squads. 

In addition to Nofsinger's home run, other highlights were:
Conor Whittaker - 3 K
Jackson Powell - double
Brody Reed - 1 assist to throw out run
Evan Pogioli - double

Next up: Host Carl Sandburg on Saturday, September 25 at 10 am at Thome Field.