Members of the Palmetto Gators 8 and Under Coaches Fast Pitch Softball are (front row) Kat Peay, Kristin Mabry, Karsyn Stewart, Taylor Edwards, Shay Reynolds. (second row) Logan Schuff, Rebecca Campbell, Logan Parris, Haley McSwain, Tinsley Fain. (third row) Coach Jeff Peay, Head Coach Gary McSwain, Coach Todd Parris and Coach Max Fain. In their first year of play, the Palmetto Gators 8 and under softball team won the WFC state coaches fast pitch softball tournament held at Bryant Road Complex in Boiling Springs, S.C., on July 8-10.

The team, consisting of girls from Gaffney, Inman, and Boiling Springs defeated the Spartanburg Shiners twice to claim the championship.

After falling behind 7-1 in the first game, the Gators rallied for a 17-10 victory, forcing the deciding game.

Back to back home runs by Kristin Mabry and Rebecca Campbell, both from Gaffney, highlighted a 17-6 championship victory in the second game.

With the victory, the team qualified for the 8 and under SEAA World Series to be held in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., on July 26July 31.