Lady War Eagles a Win Away from State Final

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By Thomas Grant Jr.

There’s a surefire way Gray Collegiate softball coach Doug Frye motivates his team.

All it takes is a flashback to the last time the Lady War Eagles were defeated in the post-season.

“Mid-Carolina beats us two years ago, knocked us out (of the Class 2A playoffs),” he said. “We were undefeated (in the post-season). I remember and I reminded them.”

Gray Collegiate is now three wins away from a second straight state championship and third in the past four years. On Monday, it advanced to the Class 4A Lower State final with a 8-2 win over South Florence at home.

It was the Lady War Eagles’ 13th consecutive post-season victory since losing two straight to Mid-Carolina on May 19, 2023 in the Class 2A Lower State final.  

Shortstop Aspen Boulware set the tone in the Bottom 1st. She sent the second pitch thrown by the Lady Bruins’ Payton Perry over the centerfield fence for the first of two home runs.

The Lady Bruins capitalized off an error in the Top 3rd to tie the game. Boulware and Kaylen Boudreau opened the bottom half of the inning with back-to-back doubles to regain the lead at 2-1.

Gray Collegiate erupted for four runs in the Bottom 4th. With two outs, Braelyn Triplett doubled to score Na’veah Matthews and she scored on Boudreau’s second RBI double.

With Boudreau and Boulware, who was intentionally walked, on base, Kaley Anderson sent a flyball that was dropped by Rylie Rousey in centerfield. This allowed both baserunners to score to make it 6-1.

After South Florence got within 6-2 in the Top 6th, Boulware circled the bases again in the seventh inning. With Triplett on first, she hit a 2-run homer to close out the scoring.

Along with going 3-3, Boulware made a highlight worthy putout to end the Top 5th. She fielded a groundball by Blakely Blue deep at shortstop and made a leaping long throw to first baseman Elizabeth Robinson.

“It’s definitely something I practice a lot,” Boulware said. “You’ve got to practice it…so when it comes in a game, it’s not surprising to you.”

Gray Collegiate now awaits the winner of Wednesday’s South Florence/Hartsville game on Friday.  The state final starts May 27 at the Upper or Lower State champion with the higher RPI rating.