By Thomas Grant Jr.
For the second time in three years, Gray Collegiate Academy is the Class 2A softball champion.
The Lady War Eagles defeated Marion 8-4 in Game Two to wrap up the Best-of-Three series at home Wednesday.
It completed an undefeated, dominant playoff run for Gray Collegiate (34-2). In setting a school record for victories, the Lady War Eagles outscored their playoff opponents 94-11 in eight games and won six of them by 10 or more runs.
After defeating the Lady Swamp Foxes 9-1 on Monday, the Lady War Eagles found themselves tied at 2-2 through three innings. They scored their next four runs off throwing errors by Marion and added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings off hits by starting pitcher Maddox Long and Kaitlyn Bodreau.
Long pitched the first four innings, allowed one earned run, and struck out five. She was relieved by Peyton Hendrix who struck out three and allowed one earned run over the final three innings.
Marion made a final rally in the seventh. With runners on first and third and out, Jasheya Page cleared the bases with a double.
Hendrix then got Maliyah Williams to ground out and Anna Grace Page to fly out to centerfielder Braelyn Triplett for the final out.
Gray Collegiate finished a school-best 34-2 record. With eight starters returning, the Lady War Eagles hope to continue their championship run in a higher classification.
“We’re ready for 4A,” head coach Doug Frye said. “I hate to say this. I’ve never talked junk but is 4A ready for us? We can play with anybody, we know that.”
MID-CAROLINA’S SEASON ENDS
The Mid-Carolina baseball team fell short in its quest for the Class 2A title.
The Rebels were defeated 6-3 by 2-time defending Class 2A champion Oceanside Collegiate in Game 2 of the Best-of-Three series Wednesday at home.
The Landsharks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Mid-Carolina scored two runs in the fourth off a wild pitch and sacrifice fly by Todd Black but gave up a run in the top of the fifth on an error.
Brian Davenport homered in the bottom of the fifth to get the Rebels within 4-3, but Oceanside Collegiate added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings to close out the victory.
Photo by Thomas Grant Jr.
