As the head coach of the Strom Thurmond baseball program, Nathan Horton has always known that his team is filled with undeniable talent. But he also knew that in order to be successful in the postseason, his players would need to come together and lift each other up. So he challenged them to do just that as they entered district play.
The challenge paid off as the Rebels finished a clean sweep of district play with a thrilling 2-1 win over Ninety Six in eight innings. The game was full of tension and excitement, with both teams playing their hearts out on the field. In the end, it was Kaleb Simpkins’ walk-off hit that secured the victory for Strom Thurmond.
Simpkins had already proven himself as a clutch player earlier in the season with a walk-off three-run home run against Ninety Six. But this time around, he delivered another game-winning hit, driving in the winning run after a series of strategic plays by his teammates. Horton was ecstatic about Simpkins’ performance, praising him for his emotional intensity and ability to come through in clutch moments.
The team celebrated Simpkins’ success, highlighting the importance of supporting each other both on and off the field. With this win, Strom Thurmond continues to show its strength and determination in pursuit of victory in the Class AA Upper State tournament.
