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Examine the relationship between self

This study found that participants reported a significant amount of self-injury, averaging 109.27, highlighting a substantial engagement in these behaviors, often driven by difficulties in managing emotions. Participants demonstrated varying coping strategies, reflected in average scores of 40 for cognitive emotion regulation and 63.72 for behavioral emotion regulation. Crucially, we observed strong negative correlations between […]

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Examine the relationship between self

This study found that participants reported a significant amount of self-injury, averaging 109.27, highlighting a substantial engagement in these behaviors, often driven by difficulties in managing emotions. Participants demonstrated varying coping strategies, reflected in average scores of 40 for cognitive emotion regulation and 63.72 for behavioral emotion regulation. Crucially, we observed strong negative correlations between both cognitive regulation (r = -0.64, p = 0.001) and behavioral regulation (r = -0.73, p = 0.001) and self-injury. This means that poorer cognitive regulation and more pronounced behavioral regulation were linked to higher instances of self-injury. Further analysis, using multiple regression, confirmed that these two emotion regulation styles accounted for 42% of the variation in self-injury, with behavioral regulation showing a particularly strong predictive effect. In essence, these results emphasize the critical role of emotion regulation interventions in supporting adolescents vulnerable to self-injury.

The present study revealed a concerning prevalence of self-injury among Iranian adolescent athletes. While self-injurious behavior can be transient, this study, conducted at a specific point in time, offers a valuable snapshot of prevalence within this population. This finding aligns with broader research indicating the presence of self-injury among youth. In this line, it is estimated that 3–7% of adolescents meet the criteria for self-injury [33]. Previous studies have shown that 32% of children and adolescents suffer from some type of anxiety disorder [34]. This suffering can be due to lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem, or feelings of hopelessness due to poor social and academic performance [35]. Studies indicate that between 30% and 50% of these cases of anxiety in adolescents are associated with another type of behavioral disorder such as self-injurious behavior, aggressive behaviors, eating disorders, and conduct disorder [36]. Furthermore, 80% of adolescents with these conditions do not receive any professional treatment or care [37]. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize attention to adolescents, particularly regarding self-injurious behaviors.

Furthermore, results of the present study indicated a significant negative relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and self-injury. This suggests that improved cognitive emotion regulation skills may serve as a protective factor against self-injury. This aligns with theoretical frameworks of self-injury, such as the experiential avoidance model [38], and the cognitive-emotional model [39, 40], which emphasize the role of poor cognitive emotion regulation in self-injury. These models posit that difficulties in cognitive emotion regulation contribute to self-injury by hindering individuals’ ability to manage distressing emotions effectively.

In the specific context of adolescent athletes, the interplay between cognitive and behavioral emotion regulation and self-injury may exhibit unique characteristics [23]. While general models highlight the protective role of strong emotion regulation, the high-pressure environment of competitive sports could potentially exacerbate emotion regulation deficits [1]. Athletes may experience intense performance anxiety, pressure to succeed, and fear of failure, which could overwhelm their coping mechanisms. Additionally, the emphasis on physical strength and emotional resilience within sports culture might discourage athletes from seeking help for emotional distress, leading to maladaptive coping strategies like self-injury. Therefore, it might be the reason that adolescent athletes may face heightened challenges in emotion regulation compared to non-athlete populations.

Furthermore, the present findings resonate with Hasking, Whitlock, Voon and Rose [40] cognitive-emotional model of self-injury. This model incorporates the role of specific cognitions about self-injury alongside emotional experience and regulation. Individuals exhibiting heightened emotional reactivity, difficulty tolerating distress, and impaired emotion regulation, coupled with a belief in their inability to resist self-injurious urges and an expectation of positive outcomes from self-injury, demonstrate a higher likelihood of engaging in these behaviors. Conversely, individuals without a history of self-injury typically possess stronger self-efficacy beliefs regarding their ability to resist such urges [40].

On the other hand, the present study found a significant negative relationship between behavioral emotion regulation and self-injury. Previous study on behavioral emotion regulation and self-injury has almost exclusively focused on the idea that poor behavioral emotion regulation are risk factors for self-injury [18, 24]. The present study showed that behavioral emotion regulation and self-injury actually have a bidirectional and inverse relationship, such that engaging in self-injury may impair emotion regulation. This finding is consistent with personal accounts of individuals with a history of self-injury who are often afraid that disclosing self-injury will damage their relationships with coaches, teammate and family [5, 41, 42]. The present finding can be explained by the theory of emotional processes in the psychophysiological arousal model [43]. Defective processes in emotion analysis can play a significant role in self-injurious behavior. Unstable, impulsive, and out-of-control emotions can lead to self-injury and suicide. Pervious systematic review studies [19, 36] identified higher rates of self-injury among individuals with unstable emotions. Therefore, it seems that behavioral regulation and attention to healthy behavioral coping styles can play a significant role in reducing self-injury. Our finding is in line with Adrian, Zeman and Veits [44] and Sim, Adrian, Zeman, Cassano and Friedrich [45]. As a result, access to behavioral and cognitive emotion regulation strategies, defined as “beliefs and behaviors to use when a person is upset,” is important. Our finding, consistent with the claim of Gratz and Roemer [46] showed that after controlling for other aspects of impaired emotion regulation, a significant association with self-injury remained.

The results of the present study showed that cognitive and behavioral emotion regulation can predict the level of self-injury. Adolescents with poor emotion regulation usually report self-injury [40]. Consistent with previous research [47, 48], the present study found significant negative correlations between emotion regulation and self-injury. These findings suggest that poorer behavioral and cognitive emotion regulation is associated with increased self-injury. However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, we can only establish associations, not causal pathways. Further longitudinal or experimental research is needed to determine the direction and nature of this relationship.

In therapeutic interventions for adolescent athletes who engage in self-injury, it’s beneficial to prioritize the development of stronger, more supportive relationships with coaches and peers. Specifically, fostering trust, open communication, and a sense of warmth within these key relationships can be a valuable component of the intervention [24, 49]. In addition, addressing cognitive and behavioral emotion regulation appears promising for reducing adolescent self-injury. Educational programs that frame self-injury as a maladaptive emotional regulation strategy may enhance coaches’ and teammates’ understanding, facilitating more effective support for adolescents struggling with emotions like fear or sadness. Furthermore, prioritizing coaches’ self-care may prove beneficial. While this study confirms the predictive power of emotion regulation in relation to self-injury, further investigation is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms and contextual factors that exacerbate the link between emotion dysregulation and self-injury [24].

This finding is consistent with previous research showing that difficulty in regulating behavioral and cognitive emotion is a predictor of self-injury [46]. According to various theories, a person who has difficulty in emotion regulation is more likely to self-injure. This claim is consistent with the experiential avoidance model [38] and general emotion regulation models [5]. Self-injury is used as a tool of maladaptive emotional expression in some adolescents. This strategy will not be effective and negative emotions will continue and even become dominant. One of the important factors in the continuation of self-injury is the belief in the inefficiency of emotion regulation. This distinction is very important clinically, because it points to the possibility of reconstructing cognitions about the effectiveness of emotion regulation as an important aspect of self-injury treatment. As a result, the present study has the clinical benefit value of emotional regulation in an adolescent athlete.

While this study provides valuable insights into the relationship between emotion regulation and self-injury among Iranian adolescent athletes, it is important to acknowledge the limitations regarding generalizability. The findings may not be directly applicable to non-athlete adolescents or those from different cultural backgrounds. Cultural variations in emotion regulation strategies and self-injury motivations could significantly influence the observed associations. For example, the unique stressors and cultural norms within the Iranian athletic context may contribute to specific patterns of emotion regulation and self-injury that differ from those seen in other populations. Therefore, caution is warranted when extrapolating these results to broader populations. Future research should explore these relationships in diverse samples to enhance the generalizability of the findings. The current study suggests that coaches and teammates could play a role in intervention efforts, given their frequent interaction with adolescent athletes. However, it’s important to acknowledge that this suggestion is based on the context of the athletic environment rather than direct empirical evidence within this study. The role of parental influence, school-based mental health services, and professional therapeutic interventions was not explicitly examined, which limits our understanding of the broader support network. Future research should investigate the efficacy of multi-faceted intervention approaches, including the involvement of parents, school counselors, and mental health professionals, to develop comprehensive and effective support systems for adolescent athletes at risk of self-injury. A more thorough exploration of these diverse intervention strategies would enhance the practical implications of our findings and inform the development of targeted support programs. Furthermore, third limitation of this study is the absence of a confirmatory factor analysis to re-evaluate the structural validity of the Self-Injurious Behaviors Scale, Behavioral Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire within our specific adolescent athlete population. While these scales have demonstrated adequate validity in previous research, including studies with adolescent samples, we did not specifically assess their factor structure within this unique group. Therefore, while we relied on established validity from prior studies, future research should consider examining the factor structure of these instruments within adolescent athlete populations to ensure their applicability and accuracy in this context.

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Parents Create Fund in memory of son, raise awareness about suicide and mental health

James and Karen Baker established The Jake Baker 27 Fund in memory of their son who took his own life in the spring of 2024. This fund will help support nonprofit organizations and programs that raise awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention, as well as support family members and loved ones […]

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Parents Create Fund in memory of son, raise awareness about suicide and mental health

James and Karen Baker established The Jake Baker 27 Fund in memory of their son who took his own life in the spring of 2024. This fund will help support nonprofit organizations and programs that raise awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention, as well as support family members and loved ones impacted by suicide. This becomes one of more than 818 component funds of The Community Foundation of Frederick County.

Jake Baker grew up in Thurmont and graduated from Catoctin High School. He was voted most athletic in his class — he had broken several school records in the weight room, he was an outstanding wrestler and he was an all-star football player whose team won the state championship his senior year. He was also voted most artistic as he loved to draw and create art.

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New Era Begins As House Settlement Approved

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 6, 2025 – Today marks a historic milestone for college athletics in the United States. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has granted final approval to a settlement in the House v. NCAA (“House”) litigation. This landmark settlement – agreed to by plaintiffs representing nearly 400,000 current […]

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New Era Begins As House Settlement Approved

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 6, 2025 – Today marks a historic milestone for college athletics in the United States. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has granted final approval to a settlement in the House v. NCAA (“House”) litigation. This landmark settlement – agreed to by plaintiffs representing nearly 400,000 current and former student-athletes and the NCAA, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference and Southeastern Conference (SEC) – will reshape the landscape of college sports, paving the way for a model that prioritizes fairness, stability, integrity and opportunity for student-athletes and institutions.

Overseeing this model will be the newly established College Sports Commission – an independent body that will be responsible for implementing the settlement terms governing revenue sharing, student-athlete Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals and roster limits. The Commission will investigate any potential violations of these rules, make determinations regarding potential rules violations and penalties, provide notice and opportunity to be heard, participate in the arbitration process and ultimately administer penalties for violations of these rules. The Commission’s leadership team will be announced in the near future.

Under the new system, student-athletes will have more opportunities to financially benefit during their participation in intercollegiate athletics than ever before. Institutions are now able to share revenue directly with student-athletes, in addition to providing existing benefits such as athletic scholarships, access to world-class training facilities, academic counseling, medical care, post-eligibility medical coverage, mental health resources, nutritional guidance and life skills development.

Beginning July 1, 2025, each year, participating schools can distribute up to 22% of the average revenue among schools in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC from media rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships – known as the revenue sharing cap. The cap is estimated at $20.5 million per school for the 2025-26 academic year, pending final confirmation. To ensure revenue sharing with student-athletes is appropriately managed and reported to the Court for compliance, athletics departments will use the new College Athlete Payment System (CAPS) platform developed by LBi Software.

Student-athletes will also be able to continue receiving compensation from third-parties other than their institutions for the use of their NIL, so long as their NIL deals are made with the purpose of using their NIL for a valid business purpose and do not exceed a reasonable range of compensation. On behalf of the College Sports Commission, Deloitte* has built and will maintain a new technology platform called NIL Go in which student-athletes will be required to report their NIL deals to confirm they are in compliance with the rules. Deals will be evaluated based on:

  • Payor association – The relationship between the payor and the student-athlete’s school.
  • Valid business purpose – Whether the payor is seeking the use of the student-athlete’s NIL for a valid business purpose, meaning to sell a good or service to the public for profit.
  • Range of compensation – Whether the compensation paid to the student-athlete is commensurate with compensation paid to similarly situated individuals.

Finally, for participating schools, NCAA scholarship limits have been removed and roster limits have been established for each sport, allowing for a significant increase in scholarship opportunities for student-athletes. Under this new model, schools will have the option to offer partial or full scholarships to every student-athlete on a team’s roster, as long as the total number of student-athletes stays within the sport’s specific roster limit. Efforts have also been made to ensure current and immediately incoming student-athletes are not adversely impacted by the establishing of roster limits. Removing scholarship limits allows schools to better support their student-athletes through new scholarships, particularly in non-revenue-generating sports.

“This is a significant moment for college athletics that will provide unparalleled opportunities for student-athletes. We look forward to implementing this new system which offers much-needed transparency and structure to create a more sustainable model for the long-term future of college athletics,” said Jim Phillips, Ph.D., Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“We look forward to implementing this historic settlement designed to bring stability, integrity and competitive balance to college athletics while increasing both scholarship and revenue opportunities for student-athletes in all sports,” said Tony Petitti, Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference.

“As we enter this new era of college athletics, it is crucial we do so with structure, transparency, and the success of student-athletes in mind — this settlement and new model will ensure that happens. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to implement this new system that prioritizes fairness and opportunity for all student-athletes and institutions,” said Brett Yormark, Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.

“It’s a new day in collegiate athletics. This historic moment allows us to maintain what makes college sports special, the development of young individuals through sport, while also evolving to meet today’s student-athletes where they are with new opportunities in a manner that provides long-term stability for collegiate athletics. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues as we implement and introduce the future of college sports,” said Teresa Gould, Commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference.

“The approval of the House settlement agreement represents a significant milestone for the meaningful support of our student-athletes and a pivotal step toward establishing long-term sustainability for college sports, two of the Southeastern Conference’s top priorities. As the journey to modernize collegiate sports continues, we remain focused on identifying and implementing innovative opportunities for our student-athletes across all sports while maintaining the core values that make collegiate athletics uniquely meaningful,” said Greg Sankey, Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.

Following are significant dates related to the implementation of the settlement:

  • June 6, 2025: Settlement approved; settlement-related NCAA rules are effective, as adopted by the NCAA Division 1 Board on April 21, 2025.
  • June 11 2025: NIL Go portal launches.
  • June 15, 2025: Opt-in deadline for non-defendant schools to fully commit to revenue sharing. 
  • July 6, 2025: Opt-in schools must “designate” student-athletes permitted by the settlement to remain above roster limits.
  • July 1, 2025: First date for direct institutional revenue sharing payments to student-athletes. 
  • Start of 2025-26 academic year: With the exception of the “designated” student-athletes, Fall sports must be at or below roster limits by their first day of competition.
  • December 1, 2025: With the exception of “designated” student-athletes, Winter and Spring sports must be at or below roster limits by their first day of competition or Dec. 1, whichever is earlier.

More information about the College Sports Commission and the implementation of these new policies can be found at CollegeSportsCommission.org.

* As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of its legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

MEDIA CONTACT

collegesportscommission@fgsglobal.com

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Bold and unapologetic

Story Links When  Pittsburgh-Greensburg runner Tyshawn Brownfield watches the Olympics, he rarely sees a pride flag. It’s always a man with a wife and kids.  “The stereotypical American family, you know,” he said.  He wants to change that. Brownfield thinks everyone has a purpose. For him, becoming a college athlete and graduate serves his: Show others […]

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Bold and unapologetic


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When  Pittsburgh-Greensburg runner Tyshawn Brownfield watches the Olympics, he rarely sees a pride flag. It’s always a man with a wife and kids. 

“The stereotypical American family, you know,” he said. 

He wants to change that.

Brownfield thinks everyone has a purpose. For him, becoming a college athlete and graduate serves his: Show others the way.

“Growing up, I didn’t often see people who looked like me — Black, openly gay, and thriving — in the world of athletics or psychology. That lack of visibility inspired me to become the representation I wish I had,” he reflected.

Brownfield believes that if you can see it, you can dream it. If you can dream it, you can do it.

“I want to show other people in the LGBTQIA+ community, or even just other Black queer gay men, that you can do it,” he said. “People only try to stop you because they see your potential before you see it.”

Tyshawn Brownfield understands the rarity of being a Black, gay man in college athletics. The Pittsburgh-Greensburg runner shares his story to show others the possibilities. (Photos courtesy of Tyshawn Brownfield)
Tyshawn Brownfield understands the rarity of being a Black, gay man in college athletics. The Pittsburgh-Greensburg runner shares his story to show others the possibilities. (Photos courtesy of Tyshawn Brownfield)

Brownfield’s grandma, Monica Cash, and father, Walter, described him as a shy child who was a motivated go-getter. As a child, Brownfield shared a particularly close-knit bond with his great-grandmother, Reta Wright. The pair could often be found dancing together, competing in the “Just Dance” video game. Even a decade later, Brownfield will come home to help care for his great-grandmother. They still dance together whenever they can.

As he got older, Walter said his son began to push himself out of his comfort zone.

“I love that about him. At this point now, I feel like he has no fear to take on anything in life,” Walter said.

As Brownfield grew into himself, his first four years of college challenged him in ways he didn’t anticipate.

The Waldorf, Maryland, native ran track and cross country at Southwestern College — part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics — his first two years but decided to transfer to Hood, a Division III school where he ran for another two years. At both schools, Brownfield struggled with feeling “genuine and authentic,” he said.

“I felt stuck in a box,” he added.

Brownfield channeled those challenges into improvement on the track.

 “Instead of wasting four years of my life letting people get in my head, I decided to have tunnel vision and focus on me. The results came,” he said. “If they can’t beat me on the track, then their opinions don’t matter.”

Brownfield also made great friends who stood by his side. His best friend and former Southwestern teammate, Lauryn Terry, reflected on Brownfield’s strength through adversity.

“He taught me patience, and I taught him how to stand up for himself,” Terry said. “He is very strong.”

Terry said everything about Brownfield is warm: “His favorite color: yellow. … He is so full of love and life.” 

Brownfield is the first in his family to attend college. He has been determined to make the most of his time on campus. 

"Being authentic means being able to be in a room and not feel like I have to dim my light for anybody else," Brownfield said.
“Being authentic means being able to be in a room and not feel like I have to dim my light for anybody else,” Brownfield said.  

“As a student-athlete, I’ve worked to create spaces where others feel seen, heard and valued. Whether it’s through my involvement with the Black Student Union, speaking up in team environments, or advocating for mental health and inclusion, I strive to make sure every student, especially those from marginalized communities, knows they belong,” he said. 

In his free time, Brownfield has volunteered for psychology-focused nonprofits. This experience has deepened his understanding of how essential diverse voices are in both sports and mental health.

He even headed to the NCAA national office in May for the Career in Sports Forum.

“The overall experience of being able to listen to people who are certified in their careers while listening to their struggles has been inspiring,” he said. “It’s not easy for anybody. They didn’t feel confident 100% of the time, but they still did it.

“That’s how you build confidence, by putting yourself in those uncomfortable situations to make you grow,” Brownfield added.

Not everyone gets afforded the opportunity to go to college, and the first-generation student and athlete takes pride in his accomplishments.

“Every moment, every opportunity, it just makes (my parents) proud because it’s everything they wanted, and I’m living it,” Brownfield said.

“Everything he dreamed of has come to fruition,” his father said. 

At Pittsburgh-Greensburg, Brownfield will finish his final three semesters of college en route to earning a psychology degree. His psychology classes will equip him to work with children in the future. His goal: to empower children to feel seen and heard.

“Growing up, I had to battle with trying to find my identity as a gay person. There was no handbook, so I had to figure it out myself, and it took time,” he said. “It was like a study of the mind.”

His grandmother said whatever path Brownfield takes, becoming a mentor is at the forefront. 

Brownfield has made strides in athletics and academics while committing to break barriers and promote equity in every space he enters.

“By living my truth and lifting others up along the way, I hope to show that authenticity is strength,” he said. 

“I want the next generation of student-athletes to know that you don’t have to choose between being who you are and chasing your goals,” he added. “You can be both, boldly and unapologetically.”

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Filip Jakubcik Named to Big 12 All

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Filip Jakubcik Named to Big 12 All

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Oregon track star wages legal battle against trans athlete policy after medal ceremony protest

An Oregon high school track star is speaking out after refusing to stand on the podium with a transgender athlete, saying her protest was about fairness – not hate.  “I just didn’t think that it’s fair to biological females to allow and encourage biological males to compete among us, not only for myself and the […]

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Oregon track star wages legal battle against trans athlete policy after medal ceremony protest

An Oregon high school track star is speaking out after refusing to stand on the podium with a transgender athlete, saying her protest was about fairness – not hate. 

“I just didn’t think that it’s fair to biological females to allow and encourage biological males to compete among us, not only for myself and the other girl that stepped down, but the girl who should have been on the podium and the girl who didn’t even get to go to state because she was beaten by a biological male at districts,” athlete Alexa Anderson said on “Fox & Friends.”

“It is not about hate or transphobia at all. It’s about protecting women’s rights and their right to fair and equal competition within sports.”

Anderson and another athlete named Reese Eckard, who finished in third and fourth place in the Oregon State Athletic Association’s Girls High Jump finale, respectively, stood behind the podium during the ceremony because they refused to stand next to the transgender student, Liaa Rose, who placed fifth, according to the New York Post.

An official behind the event allegedly told those protesting to “step aside” and “get out” of the photos.

Reese Eckard and Alexa Anderson protest the girls’ high jump medal ceremony at the Oregon State high school championships at Hayward Field on May 31, 2025. America First Policy Institute
Alexa Anderson speaks out on her legal battle during a recent interview with “Fox and Friends.”

“I was very shocked and kind of stressed with all the eyes and attention on us, so I complied with what he said, but I am a little bit frustrated that people were angry with us rather than supportive of our movement,” Anderson continued.

During the “Fox & Friends” appearance, Anderson’s attorney Jessica Steinmann spelled out the legal action currently in motion, sharing that America First Policy Institute filed a complaint with the US Department of Education to request that they investigate the Oregon Department of Education.

“The law that was meant to protect our girls, Title IX, is now being weaponized against them. On top of that, they are now being sidelined and there’s clear First Amendment issues as well,” she shared.

Eckard and Anderson refused to share the podium with transgender athlete Liaa Rose who tied for fifth in the event. @LaLONeill/X

Steinmann said female athletes today are losing medal access, scholarships and economic opportunities to biological males allegedly stealing their thunder.

The incident came on the heels of a controversy in neighboring California, where trans athlete AB Hernandez won two state titles against female competitors.

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Pair of pitchers win Athlete of the Week as high school season ends

By Jacob Phillips The 2024-25 high school sports season is over following the conclusion of the baseball and softball championships last week.  Lexington County was well represented with four teams participating in a title series. Many of the area’s best baseball and softball stars looked to put their teams on their backs and deliver them […]

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Pair of pitchers win Athlete of the Week as high school season ends

The 2024-25 high school sports season is over following the conclusion of the baseball and softball championships last week. 

Lexington County was well represented with four teams participating in a title series. Many of the area’s best baseball and softball stars looked to put their teams on their backs and deliver them to a trophy. This week’s Athlete of the Week winners did just that. 

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek. To submit a nominee for consideration, email a photo and short bio to sports@lexingtonchronicle.com.

Hunter Epps

Airport’s Hunter Epps was clutch during the team’s run to the 4A baseball championship. The senior ended his high school career helping the Eagles win their first state title in program history. 

Epps pitched all six innings in the team’s shutout win in game two. He threw six strikeouts and allowed just four hits, one walk, no runs and no errors. He also pitched the final two innings of game one, allowing one hit with three strikeouts. 

Pitching was not the only contribution Epps made during the championship run. He also had a solid series in the batter’s box, going 4-6 in two games as Airport’s leadoff hitter. His all-around play made Airport’s march to the title much easier. 

Makenzie Sease

Gray Collegiate’s Makenzie Sease helped her team defend its state championship. The freshman is in her first season with the War Eagles, but that didn’t stop the team from looking her way when they needed her most. 

Sease came on in relief and pitched the final four innings of the series-deciding game three. Gray trailed when she first stepped on the mound, and thanks to her near-perfect pitching, the team was able to retake the lead and win the championship. 

York scored no runs with Sease on the mound. She threw three strikeouts, while allowing one hit, no walks and no errors. 

Sease had a solid outing in game one of the series as well, pitching all seven innings. She recorded six strikeouts while allowing five hits and three walks. The two runs she gave up were enough to give York the win, as Gray’s offense scored only one run. 

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