The Buford varsity softball team concluded its 2024 regular season with a four-inning 13-0 win over Region 8-6A opponent Mountain View on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Mountain View. For the third consecutive year, the Wolves have ended their region play undefeated.
In the shortened, run-rule game, every Buford starter got a hit in against the Bears. The Wolves had 18 hits in four innings.
After only one run scored in the first inning, Buford broke loose in the second, scoring eight runs. Sophomore Janie Goldin hit a single and stole two bases before a single hit from senior Izzy Rettiger allowed Goldin and sophomore Brooklyn Atha to cross home plate. Single hits from junior Summer Castorri, junior Kadyn Gabrels and freshman Taylor Sawyer; doubles from senior Kylie Gower and Goldin, a walk, four stolen bases and ground out contributed to the Wolves scoring six more runs in the second to make the score 9-0 in favor of Buford.
Buford added three runs in the top of the third inning thanks to five single hits and a sac fly. The last run scored by the Wolves against the Bears came in the fourth inning on a double, a ground out and a single hit. After 13 runs scored, the run rule ended the game and the regular season for Buford.
Rettiger, leading Buford’s offense, finished the day 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base. Other top offensive standouts for the Wolves against Mountain View were Gower (1-for-2, double, sac fly, two RBIs, one run scored), Goldin (2-for-2, double, one RBI, two runs scored, two stolen bases) and sophomore Ella Pierce Hensley (2-for-2, double, two runs scored).
Sophomore Olivia Nagel (5-0) recorded the win for Buford on the mound. She pitched for two innings where she gave up no hits or runs and struck out two batters before being relieved by freshman Taylor Jackson and sophomore Kennedy Townsend.
Buford finished its regular season with an overall record of 23-1 and 12-0 in Region 8-6A. With Buford being the No. 1 seed in Region 8-6A, they will host the No. 4 seed team in Region 2-6A in the first round of the GHSA Class 6A state playoffs next week. More information about the game has yet to be released.
