Buford’s varsity softball team ended their regular season undefeated, thanks in part, to sophomore Caroline Stanton pitching a no-hitter against Dacula on Thursday, October 12 at the Buford Softball Complex. The Wolves defeated the Falcons 8-0 in six innings to cap off a 25-0 regular season record.
Senior Adriana Martinez got Buford on the board in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to left-center field. That was her 10th home run of the season.
In the bottom of the second inning, senior Tavye Borders was the first on base for the Wolves with a single hit. Borders proceeded to steal two bases putting her in scoring position and would score three batters later when junior Izzy Rettiger hit a sac fly to put Buford up 2-0.
The Wolves would not score again until the bottom of the fourth inning when senior Madison Pickens hit a three-run home run, her 17th home run this season. The Wolves were up 5-0 over the Falcons going into the top of the fifth inning.
In the fifth inning, Martinez hit a single to get on base and then proceeded to steal second base. An error by Dacula put Martinez on third base while Summer Castorri was walked. Castorri would also steal second base before she and Martinez were driven in by a single from sophomore Addie Rackley.
Martinez hit a fly ball to right-center field which bounced off the wall in the bottom of the sixth inning driving in Madison Pickens and the game-ending eighth run.
Stanton recorded her 11th win and her sixth shutout of the season. She tied her season record for the most strikeouts she threw in a single game with 16. This was her third game that she struck out 16 batters. The only thing keeping Stanton from having thrown a perfect game was a lead-off walk in the first inning.
Buford’s offensive standouts in their regular season finale were Martinez (3-for-4, solo home run, two RBIs, two runs scored), Madison Pickens (1-for-3, three-run home run, three RBIs, two runs scored), Rackley (1-for-2, two RBIs) and Rettiger (1-for-2, sac fly, one RBI, one run scored).
On Monday, October 16, Buford will begin play in the Super Regional at the Buford Softball Complex. They will play the No. 4 seed in Region 5-AAAAAAA, Kennesaw Mountain at noon.
Featured photo: Buford ended their 2023 regular season as the undefeated Region 8-AAAAAAA Champions after defeating Dacula on October 12, 2023. Photo by Jody Jenkins.
