High school baseball and softball are winding down, and region champions are being crowned all over Lexington County.

Last week’s slate was a big one, featuring multiple games that decided the conference champions.

Lexington’s baseball team secured the top spot in its region after sweeping River Bluff last week. The Wildcats, Gators and Chapin all finished with (7-3) records, but Lexington finished with the top spot, thanks to tiebreakers. 

The Wildcats won the region, despite a disappointing non-region showing. Against all other competition, Lexington went (3-10). 

When the playoffs begin, Lexington will have a bye during the play-in round. The team will then host its first round game of the district bracket. 

The Wildcats softball team also won its region title with a win over River Bluff. Lexington finished a game above the Gators, ending region play (9-1).

River Bluff came in second with an (8-2) region record. White Knoll was third with a (7-3) record. 

This was Lexington’s second consecutive region title, and fifth in the past six years. The team finished second in 2024.

In the lower classifications, Gray Collegiate also swept the baseball and softball region championships. 

The War Eagles baseball team went (13-1) against conference competition, and the softball team went (12-0). 

Gray’s softball team has been one of the most dominant teams in the state, sitting (23-0) overall on the season. The War Eagles are seeking their third straight state title and are the seventh-ranked softball team in the nation according to MaxPreps. 

Players like Aspen Boulware, Makenzie Sease and Payton Hendrix are highly touted and bring a lot of the energy that allows Gray to succeed. Boulware is the No. 1 ranked senior player in the nation. 

While no other local teams are in contention for a conference title, there is still plenty to play for in the final week. 

Teams will look to go into the playoffs playing their best ball to avoid elimination in the playoffs.

The South Carolina baseball and softball tournament functions as a double-elimination tournament until the championship series. Losses reset before the Lower and Upper State games are played, after the district bracket winners have been determined. 

Baseball and softball playoffs begin on May 5. Championship series are set for the final two weeks in May. One game will be played at each championship representative’s home field. A third game would be played at a neutral location, if necessary. 

Upcoming games to watch 

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Ridge Spring-Monetta softball - April 30

River Bluff vs. Southside Christian baseball - April 30

Lexington vs. Bamburg-Ehrhart softball - April 30

Gray Collegiate vs. Gilbert softball - April 30

Lexington vs. Blythewood baseball - May 1

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Chapin baseball - May 1

Last week’s big performances 

Layla Peppers was perfect from the plate, going 4-4 with two RBIs and a home run in Dutch Fork’s win versus Irmo. 

Blake Splittgerber hit two doubles and had four RBIs in Dutch Fork’s win over Irmo. 

Jaida Gay had three RBIs and a home run in White Knoll’s win against Chapin. 

Drew Greer had four hits, two RBIs and two triples in Chapin’s victory against White Knoll. 

Savanna Padgett went 3-4 from the plate, hitting a home run as Pelion beat Ninety Six.

Blake Brown went 3-3 from the plate with a triple and an RBI as Pelion beat American Leadership.