The Buford varsity baseball team took on 2023 Class 2A state runner-up Mt. Paran Christian Academy at Truist Field on Saturday, April 13. With time constraints in place, the game ended in a 3-3 tie.
Buford trailed Mt. Paran 0-2 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Wolves added their first run after a successful bunt by senior Nate Taylor that drove in sophomore Ayden Lockett. Senior Blake Russell tied the score two batters later when he hit a sac fly to right field which allowed senior Madden Young to cross home plate.
Mt. Paran broke the 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh inning with a single run giving them back the lead.
Buford refused to give up and would once again tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs and one runner on base, Lockett gets hit by a pitch and then senior Sam Humphrey is walked to load the bases. Freshman Ian Chafin drives in the tying run when he hits a single to second base. Lockett is then thrown out at the base to end the seventh inning. The time limit had already expired at that point which ended the game resulting in a 3-3 tie.
Offensive standouts for the Wolves were Taylor (2-for-3, one RBI), Chafin (1-for-1, one RBI), Russell (sac fly, one RBI) and Young (1-for-2, one run scored).
Buford’s overall season record is 17-7-1 and they remain in first place in Region 8-7A.
The Wolves return to region play next week with a three-game series against Dacula and a make-up game against Collins Hill. On Monday, April 15, Buford will host Dacula. The game starts at 5:55 p.m.
