Saluda softball makes history, advances to state championship series
For the first time in school history, Saluda softball is headed to the state championship.
The Tigers defeated Ninety-Six, 5-0, on Friday in the Class 2A Upper State championship. Saluda will face East Clarendon in the best-of-thee title series beginning on Tuesday.
Game one will be at East Clarendon with game two at Saluda on Thursday. If necessary, game three will be at a neutral site on May 31.
Saluda is the fifth area softball or baseball team to advance to the championship series, joining Gray Collegiate softball and Batesburg-Leesville, Airport and Lexington baseball.
The Tigers are in the midst of a historic season and are 26-4. Saluda has won 23 of its last 24 games with the lone loss coming against Ninety-Six on April 11.
But Saluda defeated N-S twice in the playoffs this week to earn the championship trip.
Eighth-grader Miller Martin threw another gem for Saluda, allowing just one hit, striking out six and not walking a batter. Martin has 228 strikeouts this season.
In six playoff games, Martin has allowed only one run, and the Tigers have outscored their opponents 43-1.
Martin also was 1 for 2 with an RBI that put Saluda up 4-0 in the fourth inning. Kamryn Campbell also had an RBI single for the game’s first run in the bottom of the first.
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 7:11 PM.
