The Buford softball program is heading to Columbus, Ga. later this week to compete in the GHSA Class 6A State Championships. This is Buford’s 20th consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight and if the Wolves were to capture the state title, it would be their 13th state championship title.
The GHSA Class 6A State Championships will be held at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus Oct. 30-Nov. 2. Buford will face Brookwood in the Elite Eight round on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m.
Brookwood is the Region 7-6A champion with a season record of 27-6. The Broncos beat North Forsyth and Grovetown in the first two rounds of the state playoffs to earn themselves a spot in the Elite Eight. Buford has played Brookwood eight times before this week, with three wins, four losses and a tie against the Broncos.
The winner of the Brookwood and Buford match-up will face either Hillgrove or East Coweta in the semi-finals on Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. If Buford fails to beat Brookwood, they still have a chance at winning the state championship if they battle their way out of the loser’s bracket. The Class 6A finals will be in the afternoon on Nov. 2.
Buford goes into Columbus as the two-time defending state champions and is ranked No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in Georgia and Class 6A by MaxPreps. The Wolves are also ranked third in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Last week, Buford defeated Walton in the second round of the state playoffs. In game one, the Wolves beat the Raiders 12-0 with junior Caroline Stanton earning the win on the mound. Stanton did not give up any hits, runs or walks while striking out 10 batters. The only thing that kept it from being a perfect game was her hitting one player with a pitch.
In game two, Buford beat Walton 9-0 with junior Addie Rackley pitching five innings. She gave up one hit, no runs and a walk while striking out eight.
Sophomore Brooklyn Atha had a stellar offensive night in the doubleheader for the Wolves. She was 4-for-5 with two three-run home runs, a double, eight RBIs and three runs scored. Rackley also had a strong night going 4-for-6 with two solo home runs, two RBIs and three runs scored. Junior Kadyn Gabrels was 3-for-7 with a solo home run, a double, three RBIs and one run scored. Junior Summer Castorri hit a two-run home run in the second game and earned three RBIs.
