There is just one Lexington County softball team left in the running after the conclusion of last week’s upper and lower state championships. 

Gray Collegiate will go against York this week with the SCHSL 4A championship on the line. The War Eagles are looking to win their third championship in school history and second in a row after winning the 2A title last season. 

While the War Eagles advanced in the playoffs last week, Lexington and Pelion’s seasons came to an end with a loss in the 5A and 2A upper state brackets. The Wildcats were swept by Byrnes in a best-of-three series, while Pelion lost to Chesnee in an elimination game. 

With just one local team left in the running, all eyes will be on Gray to see if the War Eagles can cap an impressive first year in 4A play with a state championship. 

Gray swept South Florence in their two games for the lower state title. Gray won game one 8-2 before dominating game two 13-0. 

The War Eagles have been a force all season long, entering the championship series 30-2 this year. The team was won 22 of its last 23 games, including six in these playoffs. 

Gray’s last loss came in mid-April against Gilbert. The team dropped that contest 1-0 before bouncing back and beating the Indians 10-0 next outing. Since then, the team has outscored its opponents 93-18. 

The War Eagles made it to this point after leaning on their top talent all year. Players like Aspen Boulware, Maddox Long and Peyton Hendrix put up impressive numbers this season and built on what they did last year. 

Gray and York began their series on May 27, but it was stopped early due to weather

Game two is scheduled for May 28. The two team will also play the final half inning of game one that same day. 

Game three is May 30, if necessary. 

Lexington’s season came to an end in the upper state championship series after being swept by Byrnes. The Wildcats were looking to make it back to the championship series after losing in the 5A title match last season to Sumerville. 

This series was a bit of revenge for Byrnes, who lost in the semifinal to Lexington last year. The Wildcats won that series two games to one. 

Lexington struggled this year against Byrnes, failing to register a single run in either of the games. The Wildcats had not been shut out once this season before the semifinal, but Byrnes had their number. 

The loss marked the end of an exciting year for Lexington. The team won the region title after going unbeaten in conference games and finished the year 22-6. 

Lexington will now head into the offseason looking to reload for another run next year. 

Pelion’s season also concluded in the semifinal bracket. In 2A, teams don’t play an upper or lower state series. Instead, they continue the double-elimination format used in the district rounds.

The Panthers lost their opening game of the upper state bracket to Ninety-Six 14-3, putting the team in the elimination bracket. In their second game against Chesnee, Pelion lost 6-0, ending the team’s season. 

Pelion finished the year 16-9. The team made an impressive run to the upper state bracket after finishing fourth in its region. 

The high school softball season will officially end everywhere next week. Lexington County’s hope for a championship rests on Gray Collegiate’s shoulders. 

Championship schedule 

4A 

Gray Collegiate vs. York - May 27, 28, 30

Last week’s scoreboard

5A Division I

Byrnes: 10, Lexington: 0 - Upper state championship game one

Byrnes: 16, Lexington: 0 - Upper state championship game two

4A

Gray Collegiate: 8, South Florence: 2 - Lower state round two

Gray Collegiate: 13, South Florence: 0 - Lower state championship 

2A

Chesnee: 6, Pelion: 0 - Upper state elimination game