It took just four innings for the Buford Wolves varsity softball team to defeat Region 8-AAAAAAA rival Dacula 13-1 on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Prior to the start of the game, teachers were recognized as part of Buford’s Teacher Appreciation Night.
Dacula would score first in the top of the first inning when Saige Herbst hit a solo home run. That would wind up being the Falcon’s only run of the game.
Buford quickly answered back when Madison Pickens hit her seventh home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the first inning. The Wolves would score 10 runs total in the first inning. Mackenzie Pickens was walked, followed by a single from Adriana Martinez. Mackenzie Pickens stole a base and then scored off of the single by Martinez. Caroline Stanton was also walked. Martinez would score off of a sac fly by Addie Rackley. Stanton and Tavye Borders, who was walked, would both score off of a triple by Summer Castorri. Kylie Gower’s double allowed Castorri to cross home plate. Izzy Rettiger singled, advanced to second on a Falcons’ error and stole third base.
After working through the entire Wolves’ batting order, Madison Pickens was up again and this time she was walked along with her sister Mackenzie Pickens. Martinez connected with the ball and this allowed the Falcons’ to get Rettiger out at home. With bases loaded, Stanton was walked allowing Madison Pickens to score. Mackenzie Pickens scored on an error and Martinez scored after Borders was walked again. The Falcons finally ended the inning with Buford up 10-1.
Buford would score again in the bottom of the third inning after Gracie Griffin hit a solo home run. Stanton was walked and a single by Gabby Pierre advanced her to second base. Two more walks saw Stanton crossing home plate. Pierre would add the final run of the game after two walks and a sac fly.
Senior Emma Grace Williams (4-0) had a solid performance on the mound for Buford where she pitched for four innings. She gave up four hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out seven.
Offensive standouts for Buford were Castorri (1-for-2, triple, two RBIs, one run scored, one walk), Madison Pickens (solo home run, one RBI, two runs scored, one walk), Gower (double, one RBI, one walk) and Griffin (solo home run, one RBI, one run scored).
Buford’s overall season record improved to 12-0 and 4-0 in Region 8-AAAAAAA.
The Wolves will recognize the SROs at their next game which will be on Monday, September 11 at 6 p.m. when they host Cambridge.
Featured photo: Senior Emma Grace Williams pitches a solid game against Dacula. Photo by Jody Jenkins.
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