North Augusta sports: Fox Creek baseball wins in extra innings against Strom Thurmond

During the intense game, Fox Creek’s Lawson Lewis led off with a single in the 10th inning, putting the leading run on base and shifting the momentum. Hank Greene, known for his small-ball playing abilities, moved Lewis into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Greene’s play was crucial and he was the person Gillespie wanted at the plate in that moment.

Greene successfully brought Lewis home to take the lead, and an extra run was added for security. The Predators needed three outs for the region title, but the Rebels weren’t going down without a fight. With the bases loaded, Gillespie replaced the pitcher with Kale Williford, who had minimal varsity pitching experience but remained calm under pressure.

Despite his nerves, Williford made the final three outs with the support of his team’s defense, leading to a victorious celebration. The coach expressed his pride in the team’s efforts and acknowledged the challenges faced during the game. While the Rebels had opportunities to score, they couldn’t capitalize on them, highlighting the unpredictable nature of baseball.