Advertisement

Why Ballard's KHSAA softball state championship hopes rely on the terrifying Brooke Gray

j.l. kirven, louisville courier journal
·4 min read
Ballard's Brooke Gray (1) pitches to the Male side during action of their Seventh Region Championship softball game, Monday, May 30 2022 in Louisville Ky. Ballard won 8-7, and will now play for the state championship.
Ballard's Brooke Gray (1) pitches to the Male side during action of their Seventh Region Championship softball game, Monday, May 30 2022 in Louisville Ky. Ballard won 8-7, and will now play for the state championship.

Brooke Gray likes instilling a little fear in her opponents.

She's stands a compact 5-foot-6 and grew up with a chip on her shoulder due to her size. Today, the Ballard lefty is arguably the best high school softball pitcher in Kentucky.

“I try to stay humble, but it also does feel good at the end of the day,” Gray said. “To know that where I started to where I am now, all the other people that doubted me and now I’m to the point where it’s like ‘Oh, no, I have to play Brooke.’”

“I’ve said all along that Brooke’s the best pitcher in the state,” Ballard coach Alan Jones said. “She’s not your typical 5-10, throw-70-miles-per-hour type of pitcher. Brooke’s 5-5, 5-6, but she throws in the 60s with great movement and that’s what you got to have."

Gray's backed up Jones' words all season long. The junior is a flawless 27-0 with the third most strikeouts (340) and the eighth-lowest ERA (0.74) according to the KHSAA softball stats leaderboard. She's the ace of the No. 1-ranked Bruins (35-0).

Get the scoop: Subscribe to the Courier Journal's high school sports newsletter 

“We've worked so hard, so many hours every single day, even holidays," Gray said. "It just feels great to know that our team is really coming together, and I know that we can do this."

After finishing the regular season undefeated and winning the Seventh Region championship Monday, Ballard gets to strike fear in the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop State Softball Tournament field beginning this weekend.

The Bruins' journey to become the third undefeated state champion in Kentucky history — joining Greenwood (44-0 in 2013) and Male (39-0 in 2019) — begins Saturday against Region 15 champion Johnson Central (25-13).

First pitch is set for 11 a.m. at the University of Kentucky’s John Cropp Stadium in Lexington. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be played June 10-12 at the same site.

In order to pull it off, Ballard's ace will have to be at her best.

More KHSAA softball: Ranking the field for the KHSAA state softball tournament, from No. 16 to No. 1

Gray dominated some of the best teams in Kentucky this season. Against No. 8 Lafayette on May 13 she allowed two hits and no runs in a 1-0 win. She went on to pitch another beauty against No. 7 Assumption in the regional semifinals, punching out 16 batters in another 1-0 victory.

"She wants to prove to everybody that 'I can do it on the big-time level,' and she’s done it," Jones said.

Ballard has a strong lineup, but the Bruins bats can go cold at times. When that happens, the pressure falls to Gray. She doesn't mind.

"I definitely live for those moments," Gray said. "I love rollercoasters, I love adrenaline. ... I live for the will to win."

Softball leaders: Who are top hitters, pitchers in KHSAA state softball tournament? Check out the leaders

Winning is all the matters for Ballard at this point. To go 35-0 but not win the title would be a disappointment. Obviously everyone needs to carry their weight but Gray isn't oblivious to her role on the team.

“It’s definitely kind of a lot on me at the same time,” Gray said. “But I always know my defense has my back no matter what.”

Ballard's defense wasn't very reliable early in the Seventh Region title game. Facing No. 18 Male, the Bruins trailed early thanks to multiple errors in the infield. Gray wasn't her sharpest either, giving up a two-run home run to Lilly Davis in the second inning.

Ballard pitcher Brooke Gray (1) celebrates with catcher Alyssa Simmons (42) during action of their Seventh Region Championship softball game against Male, Monday, May 30 2022 in Louisville Ky. Ballard won 8-7, and will now play for the state championship.
Ballard pitcher Brooke Gray (1) celebrates with catcher Alyssa Simmons (42) during action of their Seventh Region Championship softball game against Male, Monday, May 30 2022 in Louisville Ky. Ballard won 8-7, and will now play for the state championship.

But Gray and the defense buckled down and held the Bulldogs scoreless for the final four innings of the game to pull off the 8-7 comeback win.

"I got cleated so much (in the victory dog pile)," Gray said, laughing, after the win. "Like, my whole leg is bruised and bloody, but it was worth it."

Check out: 9 college softball prospects your team should fear in the KHSAA state tournament

The ability to stay calm throughout the biggest moments of the season has been Gray's best weapon. Her teammates can even feel the confidence she brings in the circle.

“Brooke is really good under pressure," Ballard sophomore Lillian Koch said. “She’s just somebody who stays cool and collected and knows how to pitch under the pressure.”

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA softball championship: Brooke Gray key to Ballard's chances