Buford opens Region 8-AAAAAAA play with a come-from-behind win over Mountain View on Thursday, August 24 at the Buford Softball Complex. The Wolves defeated the Bears 4-3.
Photo by Jody Jenkins.
Shortly after the game began, it went under an hour-long rain delay. Mountain View got on the board first, scoring a single run but Buford would answer back in the bottom of the third inning when Madison and Mackenzie Pickens scored off of Mackenzie Pickens’ two-run home run (her eighth home run of the season).
The Wolves would score again in the fifth inning off of single home runs from Madison and Mackenzie Pickens putting Buford up 4-1 going into the sixth inning.
The Bears put up a fight in the seventh inning and managed to score two runs off back-to-back bunt singles combined with two Buford throwing errors allowed two runs to score. Mountain View had the tying run on second base with no outs but Buford pitcher Caroline Stanton would get out of the bind. After a ground out, she struck out her 16th batter of the game which was all the Wolves needed to defeat the Bears.
Stanton (4-0) pitched a complete seven-inning game. She gave up five hits, three runs (two earned), struck out 16 and walked seven.
Offensive standouts for Buford were Mackenzie Pickens (2-for-3, two-run home run, solo home run, three RBIs, two runs scored), Madison Pickens (1-for-2, solo home run, RBI, two walks, two runs scored, one stolen base), Tavye Borders (1-for-2, walk) and Addie Rackley (1-for-2, walk).
Buford found out on Thursday that they have opened the 2023 NFCA Summer/Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll in the No. 1 spot. Buford’s season record is now 8-0, 1-0.
The Wolves continue regional play on Tuesday, August 29 at Mill Creek. The game starts at 6 p.m.
Featured photo: Buford pitcher Caroline Stanton strikes out 16 batters in the game against Mountain View on Thursday, August 24, 2023. Photo by Jody Jenkins.
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