Courtesy of Mid-Carolina High School Athletics

Courtesy of Mid-Carolina High School Athletics

PROSPERITY, S.C. — Mid-Carolina varsity baseball team are champs once again this season. The Rebels(16-4, 5-0 region 2-AA) defeated Strom Thurmond by the score of 7-3 on Thursday, May 16 at home to clinch the AA Upper State Championship.

The two teams matched up with each other on May 5 in the opening round of the Upper State Playoffs and the Rebels won 5-4 at home. Then, the Rebels went on to beat Gray Collegiate to advance to the championship game. The Rebels of Strom Thurmond battled their way through the loser sound of the bracket to defeat Fox Creek and Gray Collegiate. That is how the two teams met yet again in the title game.

Now, fast forward to the title game. Both teams struggle to get anything going at the plate in the opening two innings of the game, but those Rebels of Mid-Carolina always find a way to crack the code of tough pitching. The home put up a five runs in the third inning.

All-State selection and AA Co-Player of the Year Jabari Flemon got the start on the mound for the Rebels. He got in some trouble in the fifth inning by giving up a few hits and some runs, but was flawless through the first four innings of the game. He also went 2-of-4 at the plate and scored a run.

Murray Johnson also had a 2-of-4 night at the plate and was able to bring in two runs with a RBI double and scored one run himself. Kilp Mobley went 2-of-3 with a double and two RBIs.

Strom Thurmond managed to get three runs in the top of the fifth inning to give Mid-Carolina a scare. The home team Rebels quickly responded and added two more runs to the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning that sealed the game and secured another AA Upper State title. Kayden Myers took over the last two innings and got the save for Mid-Carolina. They have won a region title, district title and Lower State championship this season.

Now, the Rebels will await the winner between Oceanside and Andrew Jackson in the AA Lower State title game to see who they will face in a three game series for the state championship.

Congratulations to the Rebels on an outstanding season and good luck in the state title series.

Reach Greg Hollis @ 803-768-3117 or on X @TheNBOnews