High school softball is nearing its end as the playoffs continued this week for three teams in Lexington County. 

Lexington, Pelion and Gray Collegiate advanced past district play into the upper and lower state rounds. All three teams were on the field this week, hoping to advance to the state championship round. 

Gray Collegiate is off to a strong start in the 4A lower state bracket. The War Eagles won its first two games, including an 8-2 win over South Florence on Monday. 

The War Eagles advanced to the lower state championship round with the win. South Florence earned a rematch with Gray after winning its elimination game.

Gray will have the advantage over the Bruins, only needing one win to advance to the state title series. The lower state championship series starts Wednesday.

Gray is looking to win back-to-back championships after winning the 2A title in 2024. 

Lexington is looking to return to the championship series after losing in the final last year. The team survived two elimination games and avenged a loss against Dorman last week to advance to the upper state bracket. 

The Wildcats are playing a best-of-three series against Byrnes this week for a place in the state title series. Lexington trails Byrnes after losing game one on Monday. 

Lexington has the chance to even the series on Wednesday. A win-or-go-home game three would be played on Friday. 

Pelion also faced elimination Tuesday after losing its first game in the 2A upper state bracket. The Panthers lost to Ninety Six 14-3 and had an elimination game against Chesnee.

The Panthers entered the upper state bracket having swept their way through their district bracket. The game against Chesnee was the team’s first test in an elimination game these playoffs. 

Pelion's season came to an end in the upper state bracket after losing its elimination game 6-0.

The upper and lower state rounds will wrap up this week and the championship representatives will emerge. 

The state championship series will start next week for all of the classifications. Games will run from May 26-31 as the softball and spring sports season comes to an end. 

This week’s schedule

5A Division I

Byrnes: 10, Lexington: 0 - Upper state championship game one

Lexington vs. Byrnes - May 21 - Upper state championship game two

Lexington vs. Byrnes - May 23 - Upper state championship game three (if necessary)

4A

Gray Collegiate: 8, South Florence: 2 - Lower state round two

Gray Collegiate vs. South Florence - May 21 and 23 - Lower state championship 

2A

Chesnee: 6, Pelion: 0 - Elimination game 

Last week’s scoreboard

5A Division I

Lexington: 12, Dutch Fork: 2 - Elimination game 

Lexington: 14, Boiling Spring: 4 - Elimination game

Lexington: 12, Dorman: 5 - District championship

5A Division II

 North Myrtle Beach: 6, Chapin: 5 - Elimination game three

4A

Airport: 6, Colleton County: 3 - Elimination game 

May River: 6, Airport: 1 - District championship

Gilbert: 11, Hartsville: 2 - District championship game one

Hartsville: 2, Gilbert: 0 - District championship game two

Gray Collegiate: 8, Darlington: 0 - District championship

Gray Collegiate: 9, Hartsville: 6 - Lower state round one

2A

Pelion: 18, Mid-Carolina: 8 - District championship

Ninety Six: 14, Pelion: 3 - Upper state round one