Coahulla Creek High’s Simpkins signs with Hocking College

Published 1:30 pm Monday, December 23, 2024

Colton Simpkins, a senior at Coahulla Creek High School who is a pitcher and third baseman on the baseball team, has signed to play the sport at Hocking College.

Hocking College is a public community college in Nelsonville, Ohio, that competes in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference. Last year’s team was 9-32.

“It means a lot,” Simpkins said. “I feel like the support and the help from (head coach Justin) Dover and the coaching staff at Coahulla Creek have really helped with moving to the next step.”

Making several big plays in 2024, including belting a three-run homer against Dalton High in February, Simpkins was an honorable mention selection for the Daily Citizen’s 2024 All-Area High School Baseball Team.

“Colton may have struggled at times at the plate last year, but I think that was due in large part to the many different defensive positions I was asking him to play,” said Dover. “I look forward to a much better season from Colton in 2025 offensively because of a successful summer of playing primarily third base.”

Dover said he sees Simpkins’ “potential.”

“Colton has the potential to really make significant improvements individually this year and at the next level,” Dover said. “He has so much room to grow from a weight and strength standpoint. If he can get those two things going in the right direction, he could really see a jump in his production levels. He knows that with this signing also comes expectations and a continued sense of urgency on his part. He knows the hard work has just begun and I expect him to continue that hard work here and at the next level. (We’re) extremely proud of Colton for this achievement.”

Simpkins said he chose Hocking College due to the opportunity of “branching out.”

“I really wanted to just be adventurous and see what other places are like (outside of the area),” he said. “But I couldn’t get there without all of my coaches from Coahulla Creek and from (the Coahulla Creek Mudcats travel ball) team.”

Simpkins looks to study welding while not on the diamond.

“I feel like the biggest thing that I’m most excited for is the chance to learn the skill that I want to pursue for the rest of my life and to be able to experience the next level of baseball,” he said.