Redemption was on the line for the Gray Collegiate softball team this week as the War Eagles looked to claim their second state title in three years after losing in the upper state last season.

Gray made up for its loss last season by defeating Marion two games to none in the chqmpionship series to reclaim its spot on the throne. 

The War Eagles and Swamp Foxes played in game one of the softball state championship series this week on May 20. Gray won the contest 9-1 and finished the series at home on May 22.

"This is the most talented team I've ever coached," Gray head coach Doug Frye said. 

Aspen Boulware went 3-3 from the plate and hit a home run to help the War Eagles claim game one. This was just after her two home run performance in the May 17 semifinal win over Strom.

Peyton Hendrix pitched a complete game from the mound. She ended with 10 strikeouts against 29 batters faced, while allowing just one walk, one run and nine hits in seven innings.

The War Eagles returned home for game two with a chance to take the title in front of its home crowd. 

Many players made contributions from the plate in the game, with no one player standings above the rest. The team earned 11 hits from seven different p;layers to beat Marion 8-4. 

Hendrix and Maddox Long were on the mond for Gray. Long got the start pitching four innings with five strikeouts. Hendrix came in and got the win after three iinnings of work. 

This was Gray's final run in 2A play , and the team proved it was the best of the bunch before moving up to 4A next season. 

Gray got to the title series after a commanding run through the playoffs where the team has yet to lose a game. The War Eagles have been strong all around, often winning games by double-digits thanks to a balance of well-executed offense and defense.

“The work ethic our girls put in from the start, I think everyone had the vision of going to state, and everyone had the attitude that they wanted to be here,” senior pitcher Mackenzie Mathis said. “We expected to be here.”

The War Eagles have been playing for this moment all season. The team had a unique schedule where before the season started, they were crowned region champions by forfeit. This allowed Gray to schedule unique competitions that other teams in the area don’t get to face. 

Grayfinished the season 34-2. The team ended the season on a two month win streak dating back to  March 20.

“We had a tough schedule, but we came out and played well the whole year,” Frye said. “Got a good defense. We pitch well. We don’t walk many people. We’ve had a great year.”