In Region 8-AAAAAAA play, Buford forced Thursday night’s game to end after the bottom of the fourth inning after the Wolves had a commanding 12-0 lead over Collins Hill.
Photo by Jody Jenkins.
Buford knocked out 13 hits in four innings and got home runs from Caroline Stanton (a two-run home run in the third and a three-run home run in the fourth inning), Addie Rackley and Kylie Gower. Rackley and Gower each hit solo home runs off of the scoreboard in the fourth inning, their first career home runs.
Madison Pickens kicked off the game at the plate for the Wolves with a single followed by a stolen base. She scored off of a single by Adriana Martinez to give Buford their first point of the night. Summer Castorri’s single combined with an error allowed Martinez to add Buford’s second run of the game.
In the top of the third inning, Madison Pickens made it on base due to a Collins Hill error. A stolen base and another error later and Madison Pickens made it to third base. Martinez would once again drive Madison Pickens home with a single. Stanton followed Martinez with a two-run home run putting Buford up 5-0 over Collins Hill.
Rackley kicked off the top of the fourth inning with her first career home run, a solo shot that bounced off the scoreboard. Gower immediately answered Rackley’s first career home run with virtually the exact same home run that bounced off the scoreboard. Izzy Rettiger followed them with a single. She would score a run after a single by Madison Pickens, a walk for Mackenzie Pickens and a wild pitch.
Madison and Mackenzie Pickens were driven home by a three-run home run by Stanton to make the score 11-0 in favor of the Wolves. Castorri hit a double and scored off a single by Rackley. Buford went into the bottom of the inning 12-0 and forced the run rule into play.
Senior Emma Grace Williams (7-0) pitched her sixth complete game and fourth shutout of the season. She only gave up two hits, no runs or walks and struck out two batters in four innings.
Offensive standouts for Buford were Stanton (2-for-3, two-run home run, three-run home run, five RBIs, two runs scored), Martinez (2-for-3, two RBIs, two runs scored), Madison Pickens (2-for-3, three runs scored, two stolen bases), Rackley (2-for-3, solo home run, a double, one RBI, one run scored) and Castorri (2-for-3, double, one run scored).
Buford’s overall season record improved to 19-0 and 9-0 in Region 8-AAAAAAA. This past week, the Wolves outscored their opponents 35-0 in three shutout victories.
The Wolves will travel to play region opponent Dacula on Tuesday, September 26 at 6 p.m.
Featured photo: Buford’s Caroline Stanton hit two home runs during the game with Collins Hill on Thursday, September 22, 2023, at Collins Hill. Photo by Jody Jenkins.
