It’s the final week of the high school sports season as the state baseball championships are set to take place this week. 

Of the six different title series going on, Lexington County teams are in three of them. Lexington is looking to defend its championship in the 5A Division I title series. Airport is seeking its first state championship win in the 4A bracket. Batesburg-Leesville is in the 2A state title series for the first time in over two decades. 

Lexington swept Blythewood in the upper state championship. The Wildcats defeated the Bengals 4-3 in game one on the road before returning to their home field for a 15-3 series-clinching win. 

The Wildcats broke a 2-2 tie after scoring two runs in the fourth inning. The bats caught fire in the fifth as Lexington scored seven runs, followed by a four-run sixth inning to end the game. Lexington outscored Blythewood 13-1 down the stretch to end the game early. 

Brandon Cromer had six RBIs and two home runs in the win. Christian Spivey went 3-5 from the plate with two RBIs. 

Grant Kissner started on the mound and pitched the full game, throwing five strikeouts while giving up seven hits and three runs. 

Lexington made it back to the title game after winning the 5A championship last year. The Wildcats are attempting to go back-to-back for the first time in school history. 

The Wildcats will play James Island in a best-of-three series starting May 27. 

Airport is back in the championship series for the fifth time since 2018. The Eagles are 0-4 in their previous appearances and are seeking the program’s first baseball championship. 

The team advanced to the 4A championship after a two-game sweep over South Florence in the 4A lower state series. The Eagles won game one 4-1 before clinching the series with a 9-2 win. 

In the second game, Brice Gillette drove in four runs after hitting a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning, putting the game out of South Florence’s reach. Landon Jeffcoat went 2-3 from the plate with two RBIs. 

Hunter Epps pitched all seven innings, giving up five hits and two runs with four strikeouts. 

Airport has had a perfect playoff run so far, going undefeated from round one to the championship series. 

The Eagles will play Seneca in the state title series with games set for May 27, 29 and 31.

Batesburg-Leesville advanced to its first championship series since 2004. The Panthers are seeking their program’s fourth baseball title and first since 1949. 

Unlike in 5A and 4A, the 2A semifinal brackets function like the district brackets. Instead of playing a best-of-three series, it is a double-elimination bracket and features more teams.

The Panthers advanced through the upper state bracket unscathed, beating Clinton and Strom Thurmond twice. 

In the upper state final against Strom Thurmond last week, the Panthers won 9-4 after a five-run fourth inning. 

Batesburg-Leesville went up 4-0 early in the game before Strom tied the game in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, the Panthers earned two walks and five singles to retake the lead. 

From there, both teams went scoreless, securing Batesburg’s win. 

Braydon Hallman led the way with three RBIs. He also pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. 

Carter Bouknight earned the win after starting on the mound. He went for five innings and got five strikeouts while allowing five hits, four runs and two walks. 

Batesburg-Leesville plays Philip Simmons in the 2A title series. Game one was last Saturday, and the Panthers lost 5-3.  Games two and three are set for May 29 and 31. Batesburg-Leesville must win both to win the title. 

Championship schedule

5A Division I

Lexington vs. James Island - State championship series - May 27, 29, 31 (Best 2 of 3)

4A

Airport vs. Seneca - State championship series - May 27, 29, 31 (Best 2 of 3)

2A

Philip Simmons: 5, Batesburg-Leesville: 3 - Championship game one

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Philip Simmons -  May 29, 31 (Best 2 of 3)

Last week’s scoreboard

5A Division I

Lexington: 4, Blythewood: 3 - Upper state game one 

Lexington: 15, Blythewood: 3 - Upper state game two

4A

Airport: 4, South Florence: 1 - Lower state game one

Airport: 9, South Florence: 2 - Lower state game two

2A

Batesburg-Leesville: 9, Strom Thurmond: 4 - Upper state championship