Gray Collegiate’s streak of softball dominance continues as the War Eagles captured their third straight state title, sweeping AC Flora in the 4A championship. 

With the pair of wins, Gray concluded its 2026 season undefeated, going (34-0). The War Eagles were considered one of the best teams in the country, sitting fifth in the MaxPreps national rankings. 

“When it got tough, somebody got up on us, they'd come back. They never quit, they never fade. They kept fighting and fighting. This group is very special,” Gray head coach Doug Frye said. “This is the best team I've ever had.“

Frye has had a lot of great teams at Gray in recent years. 

Last season, the War Eagles finished the year (32-3) and beat York in the 4A championships. The year before, Gray won 33 games and beat Marion for the 2A title. The team also won the 2A championship in 2022. 

Gray will move up to 5A next season after the latest SCHSL realignment. Don’t expect the team to fall off, as many players from this season’s squad will return, and they’ve proven they can compete against anyone. 

“We’re not going anywhere,” Frye said. “We’ve got a bunch of young kids out here who can play.” 

No team came close to taking down Gray in the postseason, and AC Flora was no different. The War Eagles won game one of the championship series at home 7-1, before downing the Falcons on their field 11-1 in game two. 

Sophomore Makenzie Sease got the War Eagles ahead early in the close-out game, hitting a pair of home runs in the first two innings. 

After three innings, Gray led 8-0, leaving AC Flora deflated in the game’s final four innings. 

The Falcons got their one run on the board in the fourth after earning a walk with the bases loaded. 

Gray responded in the fifth, scoring another run to go up 9-1. Ella Griffin safely crossed home after taking off on a wild pitch. 

The team put one final exclamation point on the game, scoring two runs in the seventh inning. Mackenzi Bradley got an RBI after hitting a groundout to first that allowed a runner to cross home.

Senior Aspen Boulware concluded her high school career with a bomb to right field for a solo home run. Boulware finished her last game with two hits, two runs and two RBIs. 

“I’m just happy. This thing is truly special,” Boulware said. “It’s been great to be a part of it.”

Boulware has been there for the entire Gray three-peat. During that time, she established herself as one of the best players in the country, winning the S.C. State Gatorade Player of the Year award and playing for Team USA.

She has been a major influence on her teammates, filling a leadership role. 

“She helped me grow, become a better player, a better person,” Sease said. “I was telling her to have fun.” 

Her absence from the team will leave a large hole to fill on the field, but off the field, she won't be far away. Boulware is set to play for South Carolina next season as one of the Gamecocks' top recruits. 

“This softball program is amazing, and coach Doug does a great job. What they have going on here is special,” Boulware said. “Obviously, I won’t be too far, so I’ll be able to hang out with my close friends.” 

Peyton Hendrix pitched the entire game for Gray, earning the win. She finished with 10 strikeouts, while giving up six hits, one run and seven walks. 

Hendrix also pitched the entirety of game one. 

“She’s 38-0,” Frye said. “If you go to war, you want Peyton. She’s going to battle all the way through.” 

Hendrix will have a chance to improve that record next season when she returns for her senior year.