On the night to celebrate the Class of 2025 softball players, Buford captures the Region 8-6A title with a shutout win over Dacula. On Senior Night, the Buford seniors were 4-for-7 at the plate, hitting a triple and two doubles and earning four RBIs.
The 2024 Region 8-6A title was the Lady Wolves’ third consecutive region title. Since the Buford fastpitch softball program’s inception in 2002, they have won an impressive 15 region titles.
In the 11-0 victory, Buford knocked in five runs in the second inning and six runs in the fourth inning. After Dacula failed to score any runs in the top of the fifth inning, the run-rule ended the game.
In the bottom of the second inning, junior Addie Rackley hit a single to get on base. A double by junior Caroline Stanton and a costly error by Dacula allowed Rackley to score the first run of the game. She later scored off of a fielder’s choice. A triple from senior Gabby Pierre drove in sophomore Janie Goldin and senior Carolyn Cagle giving the Lady Wolves a 4-0 advantage after the second inning.
Goldin would lead off the fourth inning for Buford with a single hit. She wasted no time stealing second and third before being driven home by a single from Cagle. A Dacula pitcher walked the next two batters, Pierre and senior Izzy Rettiger which was enough to bring in Cagle. Then with bases loaded, Rackley steps up to the plate and blasts her second career grand slam to give the Lady Wolves all the runs needed to end the game early with Buford defeating Dacula 11-0.
Offensive standouts for Buford were Rackley (2-for-3, grand slam home run, four RBIs, two runs scored), Pierre (triple, two RBIs, two runs scored), Rettiger (1-for-2, double, one RBI, one run scored) and Goldin (2-for-3, two runs scored, two stolen bases).
Stanton’s (7-1) pitching left Dacula unable to stage an offensive comeback. She pitched five innings where she gave up no hits or runs while striking out seven and walking one. This was Stanton’s seventh career no-hitter and fifth shutout of the season.
Buford’s overall season record improved to 18-1 and 9-0 in Region 8-6A. Buford will host North Cobb in a non-region game on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Buford Softball Complex. Buford has five games remaining in the 2024 regular season.
