High school baseball and softball continued last week as teams are just gearing up for the start of conference games. 

Last week featured some key matchups and saw big performances from some of the area’s top players. Whether it was on the mound or in the batter’s box, the stars were shining. 

Entering this week, 18 Lexington County teams are playing 0.500 or better, five are leading their regions and one is still undefeated.

Gray Collegiate’s softball team began this week (15-0) overall and (6-0) in the region. The War Eagles have been elite on both sides of the ball, scoring a ton of runs while keeping their opponents off the scoreboard.

So far, Gray has scored 155 runs. That’s the most in the region by more than 50 runs. At the same time, the War Eagles have allowed just 24 runs, the fewest amount in the region by 11. 

Gray will look to stay perfect this week with a game against Gilbert. 

The Indians are also playing good ball, sitting second in the region behind Gray. The team is (8-4) overall and (4-1) in region play, tied with North Augusta and Midland Valley. 

The baseball standings for that region are shaped in a similar way through four conference games. Gray leads everyone with a (4-0) record, but another local team is on their tail. 

Airport is a game back, sitting (3-1) in conference and (9-1) overall. The Eagles suffered their first loss of the season last week against Aiken. Airport got its revenge in game two of their series with Aiken to sit tied with the Green Hornets in the standings. 

Gilbert and Brookland-Cayce are a spot back with 2-2 and 1-1 records. As the season progresses, they will both try to push their way up the standings. 

In 5A, Lexington and River Bluff lead the baseball and softball standings.

The Wildcat baseball team has shaken off the highs and lows of its non-region slate to start (2-0) in conference. River Bluff is right there with Lexington, sitting (2-0) in region and (7-2) overall. 

Dutch Fork and Chapin split their series against each other last week. White Knoll and Irmo will try for better luck this week after starting (0-2). 

On the softball field, Lexington and River Bluff are at the top, White Knoll and Chapin are tied, and Irmo and Dutch Fork are at the bottom. 

The Silver Foxes and Yellow Jackets are each looking for their first win this season, holding a combined record of (0-16). The two will play each other next week.

Other teams to watch in Lexington County include Swansea’s baseball team, Batesburg-Leesville’s baseball team and its softball team. 

All three could contend for a region championship and enter the playoffs with a high seed. 

Upcoming games to watch

Chapin vs. Lexington baseball - March 26

Gilbert vs. Gray Collegiate softball - March 26

Gray Collegiate vs. Aiken baseball - March 27

Dutch Fork vs. Irmo softball - March 31 

Batesburg-Leesville vs. American Leadership baseball - March 31

Lexington vs. River Bluff softball - March 31 

Last week’s notable performances 

Alyssa Bullis hit two home runs and brought in four RBIs during Brookland-Cayce’s win over Aiken. 

Zak Perry struck out 12 batters and allowed just one hit and two walks in Gray Collegiate’s win against Midland Valley. 

Blythe Sanders drove in four runs on three hits, including a home run, as River Bluff beat Irmo 20-4. 

Daniel Butts pitched seven innings and recorded 10 strikeouts while allowing just three hits and two walks in Airport's shutout win over Aiken. 

Kyleigh Hubbard went 2-2 from the plate and scored five RBIs for Chapin in a win against Dutch Fork. 

Reidar Carlson pitched five innings and had nine strikeouts in Lexington’s win versus Irmo.