The 2024-25 high school sports season is over following the conclusion of the baseball and softball championships last week. 

Lexington County was well represented with four teams participating in a title series. Many of the area’s best baseball and softball stars looked to put their teams on their backs and deliver them to a trophy. This week’s Athlete of the Week winners did just that. 

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek. To submit a nominee for consideration, email a photo and short bio to sports@lexingtonchronicle.com.

Hunter Epps

Airport’s Hunter Epps was clutch during the team’s run to the 4A baseball championship. The senior ended his high school career helping the Eagles win their first state title in program history. 

Epps pitched all six innings in the team’s shutout win in game two. He threw six strikeouts and allowed just four hits, one walk, no runs and no errors. He also pitched the final two innings of game one, allowing one hit with three strikeouts. 

Pitching was not the only contribution Epps made during the championship run. He also had a solid series in the batter's box, going 4-6 in two games as Airport’s leadoff hitter. His all-around play made Airport’s march to the title much easier. 

Makenzie Sease

Gray Collegiate’s Makenzie Sease helped her team defend its state championship. The freshman is in her first season with the War Eagles, but that didn’t stop the team from looking her way when they needed her most. 

Sease came on in relief and pitched the final four innings of the series-deciding game three. Gray trailed when she first stepped on the mound, and thanks to her near-perfect pitching, the team was able to retake the lead and win the championship. 

York scored no runs with Sease on the mound. She threw three strikeouts, while allowing one hit, no walks and no errors. 

Sease had a solid outing in game one of the series as well, pitching all seven innings. She recorded six strikeouts while allowing five hits and three walks. The two runs she gave up were enough to give York the win, as Gray’s offense scored only one run.