EUGENE — Weston-McEwen and Grant Union have had their fair share of trips to the 2A/1A state softball playoffs, but while the Prospectors have won a championship trophy, the TigerScots have not.

The Special District 7 rivals will play for the 2A/1A state title at 5 p.m. Friday, May 31, at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene.

“That’s why they put the brackets together,” W-M coach Jeff Griggs said. “Then you play them. Everyone has a chance. That’s what the finals are all about.”

GU coach Zach Williams said he believes the top two teams are in the finals.

“I think the two best teams are playing for the state championship, as it should be,” he said. “I’m excited. I wasn’t excited about the showing we had at Weston. We’ll show up and play a better game.”

The TigerScots took two SD7 games from the Prospectors on May 3 — 5-3 and 4-2.

“They don’t quit,” Williams said of W-M. “We need to make routine plays and do the little things right. We just have to show up and play our game.”

The TigerScots (21-4) reached the championship game after rallying to beat Willamina 5-4 in the semifinals.

“They are resilient for sure,” Griggs said of his team, “They did manage to beat Grant Union this year, twice. It feels different than last year when we didn’t have a win against them. We weren’t as good a team last year as we are this year.”

W-M has played in three title games before this season. In 2007, they lost to Elgin/Imbler 2-1. In 2015, they lost a 2-1 game to Pilot Rock, and last year, they lost 10-0 to Grant Union in six innings.

“I think your girls should be able to go down there and compete and make it a quality championship game,” Griggs said. “When you play your best, the chances of winning are best.”

The TigerScots have plenty of weapons this season, starting with Bre Ward and Hailey Stalling in the circle.

Ward has a 1.422 ERA over 83 2/3 innings. She has 122 strikeouts and 46 walks, along with a 12-1 record. Stallings, who pitched 67 innings, had a 2.925 ERA with 61 strikeouts, 22 walks and a 9-3 record.

At the plate, Stallings is hitting .521 with 38 hits, including nine doubles, two home runs and 30 RBIs. Ward is hitting .424 with 36 hits. She has seven doubles, two triples, five home runs and a team-high 39 RBIs.

Lily Langford has a .506 batting average with 40 hits, including 10 doubles, five triples, five home runs and 28 RBIs.

“We have had multiple players help out in the lineup,” Griggs said. “Nobody is perfect. Everyday you step on the field, it’s a new day. Can’t live on post success or failure, it’s what you do when you get there.”

Griggs hadn’t decided on a starter before the team left for Eugene.

“It’s a coach’s secret,” he said. “I’ve been known to stand there at the bullpen and decide.”

While the TigerScots’ starter is a mystery, the Prospectors will go with Drew Williams, the SD7 pitcher of the year. Williams, who has committed to College of Idaho, has a 1.09 ERA over 109 innings. She has struck out 208 and walked 28.

“They have a lot of hitters in the lineup, and a pitcher who can limit teams at the plate,” Griggs said. “Last year (in the finals), I think we managed three hits, and they hit the ball, hit the ball, hit the ball. Whoever is pitching, we will have to play good defense and not let the balls get away from us.”

The Prospectors (24-4), who won their first title last year, was runner-up to Lakeview in 2022. In 2021, they were second to Kennedy in the culminating events championships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This group of seniors has been to the state championship game since they were freshmen,” Williams said. “We have a veteran group, which is a nice problem to have. The first time there (2021), it was overwhelming. Being back is comforting.”

Like the TigerScots, the Prospectors have some big hitters.

Williams has three home runs and 30 RBIs, while catcher Addy Northway, the SD7 player of the years, is hitting .496 with four home runs and 30 RBIs.

Halle Parsons has 10 home runs and 48 RBIs, Sivanna Hodge has 10 home runs and 31 RBIs, and Reece Jacobs had eight home runs and 38 RBIs.

GU beat North Douglas 9-0 to advance to the title game, but Williams said the team didn’t have the excitement level he expected.

“I told them most teams never get to go to a championship game,” he said. “I told them to enjoy it. I hope they appreciate the situation they have put themselves in. In hundreds upon hundreds of travel ball games, the school games and all the miles. Since they were 9 years old, they have worked their butts off to be in this position. I’m pumped.”