Gavin Thompson, left, grew up around Muskingum baseball, and got his first collegiate hit against the Muskies, who are coached by his dad, Gregg Thompson. Muskingum athletics photo

A 24-year baseball coaching career as head coach at Muskingum University couldn't prepare Gregg Thompson for the historic encounter he was about to face. Muskingum baseball was hosting its home opener against Denison University – with Gavin, Coach Thompson's oldest son, donning the Big Red uniform as a freshman and starting at third. The father vs. son game would be one both would always treasure.

Gavin, who grew up with a baseball in his hand, made his first trip to Florida with the Muskingum baseball team while just an infant. Over the next few years, he continued to be an integral part of the Muskie team serving as the batboy and making numerous bus trips with the team. Ironically, his first bus trip with the team as a batboy was to Denison. A life immersed in Muskie baseball with his dad inevitably grew Gavin's love for the game.

Gregg had a major impact on Gavin's baseball trajectory as his youth coach for a decade. From age 6 to 16, Gregg coached numerous championship teams that featured Gavin and his closest friends. During that time, Gavin blossomed into a standout baseball player and earned first team All-Muskingum Valley League honors for four years at John Glenn High School and capped off his high school career with All-Ohio honorable mention accolades. Gavin also shined on the football field as a wide receiver where he was named First Team All-MVL and All-Ohio honorable mention as a senior.

"I loved having my dad as a coach," said Gavin. "I learned so much from him over the years, and he continues to teach me everything I know about the game of baseball."

Throughout his interscholastic tenure, Gavin always knew he wanted to create his own college experience – one away from Muskingum. He looked for a school with outstanding academics and one that featured a baseball team with a strong team culture.

"I wanted Gavin to forge his own way and supported his decision to look at other schools," said his father. "I have a lot of respect for Denison, the baseball program, and Coach (Mike) Deegan."

On the bus ride over from Granville, as other Big Red student-athletes were studying and listening to music, Gavin was mentally preparing for his first trip to Mose Morehead Field as a visitor to play against his dad's team at Muskingum. He was battling his nerves and the thought of seeing his dad in the opposite dugout.

As Muskingum's home opener drew closer to the 4 p.m. first pitch, Mother Nature tried to disrupt the significant game by spitting rain. Coach Thompson did his best to keep his mind off the emotional matchup throughout the morning and afternoon by continually working on the field to get it game ready. Once Denison arrived at the complex, the emotional aspect of facing his son hit Thompson.

"Seeing Gavin arrive at the facility wearing a Denison uniform was surreal," he said. "I knew Gavin had been getting some playing time – but the Big Red had an older, experienced group, so I wasn't sure if he would play."

When the lineup cards were exchanged, Thompson saw the name of a family member listed on the opposing lineup – for the first time in 942 career games. Gavin's name was written as the starting third baseman in the fifth spot of the batting order. It marked only Gavin's second career start and his first at third base.

Gavin's first several plate appearances tilted in favor of the Muskies. That changed in the seventh inning. Gavin came to the plate with two outs and runners on the corners and belted an RBI double to center field. It marked his first career hit and RBI as a college baseball player and all his family and friends in attendance erupted in cheer.

"Getting my first collegiate hit against Muskingum was a big deal," said Gavin. "I hoped that it would have happened a few at-bats earlier," he joked, "but to be able to share that experience with my dad is something I will never forget."

"It was incredible seeing Gavin get his first career hit and RBI at our field that he grew up on," said Thompson. "That was a moment I will always cherish."

At the end of the game, as the teams congratulated each other on a well-played contest, the bond between father and son was special. What started with a handshake ended with a full embrace.

"I told Gavin how proud I was of him and that seeing him in a college uniform was amazing," said Thompson. "I congratulated him on his first hit. I didn't want to let go of our hug."

As fate would have it, the Muskie vs. Big Red outing marked Muskingum's only home game of the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the season was shortened, the memories of the game will last forever in the Thompson family, and both dad and son are eagerly looking forward to the next opportunity to face each other on the diamond.