WyoPreps Recap of Cheyenne East's Softball State Title in 2026

Cheyenne East won its first softball state championship in school history two weeks ago. Senior Lexi Luethy recorded the biggest hit of her career and the biggest hit in school history. With a runner at third base and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Luethy smacked the game-winning, walk-off RBI single to left field in the Thunderbirds’ 5-4 victory over rival Cheyenne Central.

East went 4-1 in the state tournament en route to its first softball crown. They opened with a 13-3 win over Cody behind Tessa Grant’s three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. The Thunderbirds beat Rock Springs 8-3 in their second game. A 6-run sixth inning was the difference. Madi Artery had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. The next three games were against the rival Indians.

In the winner’s bracket semifinal, with a berth in the state title game on the line, Cheyenne East beat Central, 14-4. The Thunderbirds seized control with a 9-run third inning. Gabriella Doughty had 2 hits and drove in four runs, while three other teammates contributed 2 hits and 2 RBIs each.

Central battled back to the title game. The Indians beat East, 11-1, thanks to 9 runs over the last two innings. That forced a second championship game.

Both teams scored twice in the first inning. East took a 3-2 lead on an RBI groundout by Madi Artery. The Indians tied it with a run on an infield sacrifice fly in the sixth. The Thunderbirds answered back with a run on a bases-loaded walk. Central tied it again, at 4-4, on an error in the top of the seventh.

That set the stage for the bottom of the frame. Artery singled to start the inning, and after two sacrifice bunts, was at third base. Luethy hit a two-strike pitch to left and was the hero for Cheyenne East.

WyoPreps captured the walk-off hit and visited with pitcher Brooklyn Lake, Artery, and Luethy about winning the title. Lake discussed her pitching and regrouping after game one, while Artery said it meant more than she thought it would. Artery described the game-winning hit and more.

WyoPreps has some photos from the state championship game. You can see them in the photo gallery below.

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