Portageville duo signs with colleges, Set to pursue athletic dreams

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — With the echoes of their high school triumphs still reverberating through the empty bleachers, two young gunslingers stood at a crossroads, uncertain about their future in the sport they loved.

Thomas Frakes and Trey Benthal signed with Williams Baptist University and Three Rivers College, respectively, during a ceremony at Portageville High School on Wednesday, July 5. The event was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and a burning desire to chase their dreams.

“My confidence has grown over the past couple of years,” Frakes said. “Portageville High School prepared me well for this next step. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, and teachers for getting me to this stage. Confidence is a big part of moving to the next level. A lot of people played a part in that.”

Trey Benthal, along with his mother Teri and father Donney, signs with Three Rivers College during a ceremony at Portageville High School on Wednesday, July 5. (Submitted)

As the ink dried on the dotted lines, a wave of emotion washed over Frakes and Benthal.

“It was great,” Frakes said. “When I was younger I remember seeing athletes sign to play in college and it was exciting to see where they were going and what their plans were. Now, it’s my time.”

As the excitement of the signing ceremony settled,

Frakes’ mind wandered back to his countless hours pondering his college choice. Among the offers and opportunities that had come his way, one institution had stood out from the rest.

“Williams Baptist is an academically strong university,” he said. “My education is the most important factor. Second, the coaches and players were very welcoming to me. They wanted me to be a part of their program. That was pretty special. I have a chance to go in and compete and raise my baseball IQ at the college level. I’m looking forward to learning and getting better.

“It’s a great environment to prepare myself for this next stage in life,” he continued. “I can play college baseball while focusing on my academics and growing spiritually.”

As Frakes delved deeper into his college aspirations, he realized that his interests extended beyond the baseball diamond. While his passion for the sport was unwavering, he also felt a strong pull toward the world of business and finance.

In particular, two fields captured his attention — agriculture business and finance.

“I have always been interested in business, I have family in agriculture and that fits me,” Frakes said. “My goal is to have a good experience playing college baseball and meeting my academic goals. I know how to play this game. I came from outstanding high school athletic programs at Portageville and I want to help my team win at the next level.”

Williams Baptist University is a member of the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the American Midwest Conference.

As Frakes expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the support that helped him reach this stage, his eyes shifted to his fellow gunslinger, Benthal, both keenly aware of the shared journey they had embarked upon.

The weight of their dream hung in the air, connecting them in a bond forged through countless hours of practice and competition.

Benthal’s voice resonated with the same determination and gratitude.

“I was back and forth on whether or not I wanted to keep playing this game,” Benthal said. “I was at Omaha for the men’s college world series and that’s when I knew I couldn’t quit playing this great game. It feels good making it official. This is the next step for me to get to play ball for a couple more years.”

Benthal spoke of the factors that influenced his decision to choose Three Rivers, emphasizing the significance of location and the existing relationships with future teammates.

“The main factor that determined my signing with them is how close it is to home,” he said. “I wanted to stay close to home as I move off to college. There were other schools but [Three Rivers] is close to home and I know a few guys there that are going there so that sealed the deal for me.

“My personal goals are to just have fun and grind and see where it goes,” Benthal continued. “I love the grind that baseball takes and I’m going to try to enjoy every second like I did at Portageville.”

With the commitments solidified, the weight of their decisions lifted from their shoulders. But the impact of their choices has ripple effects.

Portageville baseball coach Tyler Trover, the guiding force being their success, shared his perspective on their college signings.

“It’s always a good thing and it never gets old watching kids continue their careers,” he said. “I had a lot of conversations with both of them and it’s pretty neat for them to decide to go all-in and continue playing. Hopefully, those two guys will go and work their tail ends off. If they do they’re going to make an impact on those programs. They did for us and have been really solid for a long time.”

Frakes and Benthal etched a lasting legacy that will be whispered with reverence for years to come.

Their accolades speak volumes, a testament to their exceptional talent and unwavering commitment. These two towering figures of the diamond stood tall as two-time all-staters, their prowess shining brightly on the greatest stages.

Not content with the mere individual honors, they elevated their team to unparalleled heights, leading Portageville to three consecutive district championships, three triumphant conquests at the Malden Tournament, and two resounding conference titles.

But it was in the crucible of the playoffs where Frakes and Benthal truly showcased their mettle. The past two seasons witnessed them guiding their beloved Portageville to a pair of awe-inspiring final four appearances. With every swing of the bat and every pitch that blazed from their fingertips, they propelled their team to greatness, leaving opponents in their wake.

Their remarkable journey was not confined to the realm of championships alone.

Over the course of their three-year tenure, the team amassed a staggering 90 victories against a mere 16 defeats.

Trover spoke with an undeniable sense of pride as he reflected on the legacy Frakes and Benthal would leave behind.

“The legacy that a group like this gets to leave is spectacular,” he said. “What they have been able to do is phenomenal.”

With a deep-rooted understanding of his players’ aspirations, Trover prioritized their happiness above all else.

“Ultimately, with my guys, I wanted them to do whatever makes them happy,” he confided, his support evident in his words.

Ever the mentor, Trover was quick to acknowledge the stark reality of the next level of competition.

“We try to prepare them through our practice structure and the amount of time that we practice,” he said. “We put in the three and four-hour days, and grind daily. The direction that high school baseball has gone, we’re playing almost as many of these games as some of these colleges are now. I’ve told them a lot that this is a pretty good indication of what it is like to play in college, but at the same time, there is a lot more required of you too because it’s year-round. However, if they play with the same heart they did with me, then they’re going to be fine.”