Buford softball defeats 3A state champion Wesleyan in OT

It took 12 innings but the Buford varsity softball team defeated Wesleyan, the 2022 GHSA Class AAA State Champions, 5-1 on the road on Wednesday, September 6.

Sophomore Addie Rackley started on the mound for Buford. She pitched for six innings giving up four hits, one unearned run, no walks and striking out nine. Fellow sophomore Caroline Stanton (6-0) recorded the win in relief where she pitched for six innings. She gave up no hits or runs, walked two and struck out 12 batters.

Buford and Wesleyan battled for three and a half hours before Buford would break through in the 12th inning. Before then, Buford left 14 runners on base in regulation play while Wesleyan left nine runners on base. In the bottom of the 11th inning, Wesleyan looked like they would score as catcher Marjee Williams hit a fly ball to Rackley, who moved to play in Buford’s left field. Rackley caught the ball and threw it home to get the winning run out before they could score the winning run.

In the 12th inning, Wesleyan changed pitchers sending their senior ace Macy Cintron to the bench in favor of sophomore Jessica Epps. Madison Pickens hit a single to lead off the inning while Mackenzie Pickens followed her with a double. Madison Pickens scored. A ground out by Adriana Martinez and a sac fly by Rackley allowed Mackenzie Pickens to score. Then Stanton hit a double followed by a hit by Tavye Borders which was enough to drive Stanton in to score.

Buford was up 5-1 going into the bottom of the 12th inning. Stanton quickly struck out Wesleyan’s batters ending the game in favor of Buford.

Offensive standouts for Buford were Mackenzie Pickens (2-for-5, double, one RBI, two runs scored, two stolen bases), Madison Pickens (2-for-6, double, one RBI, one run scored), Izzy Rettiger (2-for-5, one run scored, three stolen bases) and Rackley (1-for-3, sac fly, one RBI).

Buford’s overall season record has improved to 11-0 and 3-0 in Region 8-AAAAAAA.

Buford hosts Dacula in a Region 8-AAAAAAA game on Thursday, September 7 at the Buford Softball Complex. Teacher Appreciation Night will be celebrated prior to the start of the game which will be at 6 p.m.