Buford’s rec league softball players were recognized before the varsity softball team’s 9-1 victory over Walnut Grove on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Buford Softball Complex.
Junior Addie Rackley’s sac fly gives senior Izzy Rettiger a chance to cross home plate and give Buford their first run during the bottom of the first inning. One batter later and junior Caroline Stanton hits a single hit that drove in fellow junior Kadyn Gabrels. Stanton would later score a run after a wild pitch giving the Lady Wolves a 3-0 advantage over Walnut Grove going into the second inning.
In the top of the third inning, Walnut Grove batters hit three singles which was enough to score a run for the Lady Warriors.
Buford took full advantage of their half of the third inning as Rackley hit a two-run homer and junior Summer Castorri knocked out a solo home run. The Lady Wolves scored one more run in the third inning when senior Kylie Gower hit a sac fly to score sophomore Brooklyn Atha giving Buford a 7-1 advantage after the inning.
A walk and a single hit put two Buford players on base in the bottom of the fourth inning. Another sac fly, this time by Gabrels, and an RBI-ground out by Castorri drives in Buford’s final two runs of the game. After Walnut Grove failed to add another run in the top of the fifth inning, the run rule was invoked giving Buford a 9-1 win.
Buford’s offensive standouts were Rackley (1-for-1, two-run home run, sac fly, three RBIs), Castorri (1-for-3, solo home run, two RBIs, one run scored), Atha (2-for-2, two doubles, one run scored) and Rettiger (1-for-2, two runs scored, two stolen bases).
Sophomore Olivia Nagel (3-0) recorded the win for Buford. In five innings of work, she gave up six hits and one earned run. She struck out one and allowed one walk.
The overall season record for Buford improved to 13-1 and 6-0 in Region 8-6A. Buford travels to play Collins Hill on Thursday, Sept. 12 for a Region game that begins at 5:55 p.m.
