Braxton Withington Signs with Cloud County

For Colby senior pitcher Braxton Withington, signing his letter of intent to play baseball at Cloud County Community College wasn’t an overnight achievement. It was the product of a childhood spent playing up in age divisions, countless miles on the road, long days in weight rooms and bullpens, and a belief that steady work would eventually match his steadily growing talent. On November 14th, he made it official, committing to a program he believes can elevate him into the pitcher he wants to become.

Withington’s story begins in Norton, where he lived until sixth grade. Surrounded by older friends, he almost never played within his age bracket. If he was eight, he played against ten-year-olds. If he was ten, he played in the twelve-and-under division. Those early years taught him toughness, rhythm, and resilience. They also gave him two years’ worth of experience by the time he actually aged into his own division.

“I always played up,” Withington said. “We had really good coaches and traveled all over. When I finally played 12U at my age, I already had two years of it. That helped a lot.”

His baseball path continued when he moved to Colby in middle school, where he arrived already confident on the field. He jumped into the high-school scene early, earning varsity time as a freshman. His first varsity memory remains unforgettable: a freezing, windy game against Russell.

“It was like twenty degrees, and Coach Rick Williams told me to warm up,” he said. “I didn’t even have my baseball stuff on. I had to sprint to my pickup to get it. I couldn’t feel my hands, but I pitched pretty good. Then the first varsity pitch I ever saw at the plate, I got a base hit.”

From there, Withington held a varsity role throughout high school. His sophomore season didn’t meet his own expectations, but he calls it an important learning year. What came next was the turning point.

His junior season launched him into statewide recognition. Withington hit .320, dominated on the mound with a 1.9 ERA, struck out 74 hitters while walking only 20, and earned All-GWAC First Team and All-State Second Team honors in Class 3A. He also saw his velocity spike, later reaching 90 miles per hour this fall.

But the defining moment was his no-hitter against a heavily favored Hoisington team.

“They were the number one seed, ranked in the state, with only a couple losses,” Withington said. “First batter of the game, I walk him on a 3-2 count. After that, no walks, no hits, no errors. Nobody else reached base.”

He came one batter away from perfection, something he still thinks about.

“I regret walking that first guy,” he said with a grin. “But I hope I get another chance at one someday.”

Withington credits several coaches for shaping him along the way. As a freshman, Coach Todd Kane led a nearly undefeated JV season, a memory he still values. He recalls Coach Tucker Branum pushing hard for him to get varsity chances, and he remembers Coach Austin Avelar for being the toughest on him in the best possible way.

“He was always harder on me than anyone else,” he said. “But it was because he knew I could handle it and really wanted to get better.”

Entering his senior season, Withington believes the Eagles have the pieces to make a run.

“I think we can do something that hasn’t been done in a while,” he said. “We lost a really good senior group, but so did everyone else. I think we’re more stacked than anyone in our regional. I’m counting down the days until practice.”

His growth didn’t happen during baseball season alone. Withington has poured significant energy into off-season development, including travel ball and specialized training. He plays for the Kansas Curve, a fall organization designed to get uncommitted players in front of college coaches. The team travels each weekend to college campuses across Kansas, often scrimmaging college squads directly.

“I pitched against Allen County Community College and played in front of a lot of coaches,” he said. “That’s where I got some of my offers. I wouldn’t have been in front of Cloud’s coaches without it.”

For Withington, the decision to choose Cloud County was rooted in the fit, the culture, and the program’s track record.

“For me, it was the coaches,” he said. “They’re tough, but that’s why they’re so good. They develop pitchers and send guys on to Division I programs. They send guys all over the country. I believe they do it better than anyone in Kansas.”

Withington will pitch exclusively at Cloud, something he’s thrilled about. His plan is to major in business and focus fully on academics and baseball.

He also draws inspiration from recent Cloud success stories, including Goodland native Cole Linton who earned Jayhawk Conference Pitcher of the Year as a freshman and recently committed to a Division I program in Texas.

“He told me it was going to be tough, but that he loved it,” Withington said. “That stuck with me.”

Looking ahead ten years, Withington has a clear vision.

“The goal is to have a draft arm,” he said. “I know I have a long way to go, but Cloud can get me there. I’m hoping to get to a Division I school after Cloud and then get heavily recruited by MLB scouts.”

For all his ambition, he is quick to credit the person who has made the journey possible: his father Kyle.

“He’s sacrificed a lot of time and money taking me to games, showcases, and practices all over the state,” Withington said. “He’s only missed one or two games my whole life. I couldn’t be more thankful.”

With a senior season still ahead and a college career now on the horizon, Withington stands at the start of what he hopes will become a long pitching career. From Norton to Colby to Cloud County, the climb has been steady. And as his fastball climbs into the 90s and his goals grow bigger, Withington looks ready for the next step.