By Thomas Grant Jr.
Gray Collegiate Academy spring teams racked up four Region 5-5A titles in their final season in Class 4A.
BASEBALL
The War Eagles completed a 2-game sweep of Gilbert to finish 13-1 in region play. Last Tuesday, it rallied for two runs in the Bottom 7th to defeat the Indians 8-7 and wrap up the region title.
After Andrew Rea scored when Caleb Burgess was hit with a pitch with the bases loaded, Garrett Blakenship hit a walkoff RBI sacrifice fly to score M.J. Hornsby to win the game.
Last Friday, Gray Collegiate Academy closed out region play with a 7-2 win over Gilbert. Blakenship and Zak Perry both had two RBI and Brogan Sox struck out three and allowed three hits.
Airport finished in second place in Region 5-5A after sweeping archrival Brookland-Cayce. In Game One, Daniel Butts had 10 strikeouts and Creighton Pumphrey and Landon Jeffcoat both drove in two runs in a 6-3 victory.
Last Friday, Cash Epps struck out five in a 5-0 victory. The Eagles finished 11-5 in region play.
SOFTBALL
After getting recognized at the S.C. Statehouse along with the state championship track and field team, the nationally-ranked Lady War Eagles’ continued its quest to complete an undefeated regular season.
Gray Collegiate posted back-to-back shutout wins over Airport (14-0) and South Aiken (12-0) to clinch the Region 5-5A title.
Both games saw pitchers Makenzi Sease and Peyton Hendrix allow no hits. Against the Lady Eagles, Sease had 10 strikeouts and walked just two baserunners.
Hendrix threw a perfect game against the Lake Thoroughbreds. She struck out 11 batters and did not allow a walk.
SOCCER
Both Gray Collegiate Academy teams needed a victory Monday at Aiken to clinch the region titles. “They’re going to be able to sleep well at night knowing Antonio is a difference maker in the community and he’s an absolute baller that plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. They are getting a guy that loves football and loves to compete. He is going to make plays all over the field from multiple positions.”
