The Lexington baseball team has had its share of battles this season, but all year long the group overcame those standing in its way en route to its first state championship since 2013.

The Wildcats defeated Ashley Ridge in a 2-0 sweep of the 5A state championship series. The win gives Lexington its seventh baseball title, but it is just the second since winning in 1999.

Lexington ended the year 19-1 but had to endure several close matches leading up to and during the championship. The Wildcats played eight games in the postseason. Four games were decided by one run or less, and all but two games were within three.

“So many close games that we had to find a way to win,” Lexington coach Brian Hucks said after winning game two of the championship series. “This one was no different tonight, and these kids just find a way to win in the end. That’s kind of a statement of their character, integrity and how hard they worked.”

Lexington defeated Ashley Ridge 1-0 in a defensive battle at home to get the series started.

Hits were hard to find with both teams struggling to make contact with the ball. Ashley Ridge outhit Lexington for the game 3-2, but an early run for Lexington was all it took to win.

Brandon Cromer recorded the first hit of the game in the first inning with a single. He was caught trying to steal second but three straight walks loaded the bases and put Lexington in a position to score early.

Jackson Cionek took advantage of a wild pitch to make a sprint towards home. He safely crossed home plate and put the first and only run of the game on the board.

Jackson Burton pitched the entire game, allowing just three hits and two walks. He finished with six strikeouts and Lexington as a team committed no errors.

Lexington hit the road for game two, looking to close the series and win the title.

The Wildcats and Ashley Ridge played another thrilling match with a bit more scoring than game one. Lexington scored runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take the lead and seal the game 3-1.

Ashley Ridge put the first run on the board in this game in the first inning off of a sacrifice fly.

Neither team scored for the next three innings until Lexington got on the board in the fifth. Will Burgess doubled on a hard ground ball to center field to score the first Wildcat run in the game.

In the next at-bat, Cromer stepped up to the plate and hit a ball to left field. Despite the left fielder making the play, Lexington was able to advance a runner, scoring its second run.

“I did it for (my dad), my grandpa, this team,” Cromer said. “They’re my brothers, my coaching staff, the best coaching staff in the state.”

Cromer’s father, Brandon Sr. won the 1992 baseball state championship with Lexington before being drafted into the MLB. Now 32 years later Brandon Sr., got to watch his son help his team win states.

“He had the home run and he always showed it to me,” Brandon Jr. said. “It was a big moment for me knowing I could do that and follow in his footsteps. He is the guy of my dreams, and I look up to him every day.”

Cromer also closed the game on the mound for Lexington. He came out of the bullpen for 1.2 innings and recorded two strikeouts while allowing two hits and no runs.

“I knew if we had the lead late, I’d want Brandon to close it out,” Hucks said. “Ideally I wanted him to only go one inning, but I felt like we had to make the move right there.”

Connor Homles scored the third run for Lexington in the sixth inning after coming on as a pinch runner. Holmes reached home after a bunt from Ryder Kellis.

Lexington recorded the final out after Cionek caught a fly ball to right field. From there, the celebration began.

The Wildcats end the season 31-7. They survived many close games, a region with the defending champs River Bluff, a long playoff run and controversy in their opponent. Through it all they endured, and that effort earned them the top prize.

Hucks admitted after the game to feeling like he may never experience this kind of moment again. He said this team showed him differently.

“I started questioning myself. Am I pushing the right buttons? And am I doing the right things in the offseason?” Hucks said. “But these kids made me a believer again. So, this is all credit to them. Our coaching staff is awesome, but at the end of the day these kids go out and make the difference.”