Buford softball opens season with stellar performance against South Forsyth

The Buford Wolves softball team opened their season with a stellar performance against South Forsyth in the Rumble at the Ridge tournament at the Buford Softball Complex on Thursday. Buford defeated South Forsyth 14-0 in five innings to go 1-0 on the season.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Caroline Stanton (1-0) opened the Wolves’ season on the mound where she pitched four innings. She struck out nine while not giving up any hits or only three walks. Senior Emma Grace Williams relieved Stanton to pitch the fifth inning where she gave up one hit and struck out one batter.

Buford opened scoring in the second inning when Tavye Borders scored after making it on base with a single. She then stole two bases before Kylie Gower drove her in with a double. In the third inning, Mackenzie Pickens hits a two-run homerun and sophomore Kadyn Gabrels hits her first career home run to make the score 4-0 going at the end of the third inning.

In the fourth inning, Summer Castorri gets on base with a single and proceeds to steal second base. She scores on a double by Gower.

The Wolves had an explosive fifth inning as they scored nine runs. Adriana Martinez, Gabrels, Addison Rackley, Gracie Griffin and Taryn Gibbs each drove in a run during the inning before Madison Pickens hit her first-ever career grand slam. The game was called due to the run rule in the fifth ending the game with Buford up 14-0 over South Forsyth.

Leading the offense for Buford was Madison Pickens who was 2-for-3 with a grand slam home run, a double, four RBIs, two runs scored and one stolen base. Other offensive standouts were Mackenzie Pickens (2-for-4, two-run home run, two RBIs, two runs scored), Gower (2-for-2, two doubles, two RBIs) and Gabrels (1-for-3, solo home run, one RBI, two runs scored).

On Saturday, August 12, Buford will continue play in the Rumble at the Ridge tournament at the Buford Softball Complex against Cherokee Bluff at 9 a.m. and against Campbell at 1 p.m.

Sophomore Caroline Stanton struck out nine batters, gave up no hits and three walks during four innings in Buford’s season opener against South Forsyth on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the Buford Softball Complex. Photo courtesy of Buford softball.