Junior Kadyn Gabrels, fresh off the injured list hit a two-run homer to close out Buford’s offense in an 8-0 win over Region 8-6A opponent Collins Hill at the Buford Softball Complex on Wednesday, August 28.
Gabrels made her first appearance after suffering a preseason injury that kept her on the bench for the first eight games of the season. She made it count after she blasted out a two-run home run in the third inning making the score 8-0 in favor of the Lady Wolves. She ended the night 2-for-2 with three RBIs and one run scored.
Buford has scored 17 points in the first inning in the season’s first eight games and the Lady Wolves continued the “score early, score often” trend when they got five points in the first inning against the Lady Eagles.
Brooklyn Atha was walked straight out of the gate, stole second base, made it to third on a wild pitch and made it home after a ground-out hit from Izzy Rettiger. Summer Castorri then hit a double, stole third base and scored on an error from Collins Hill. A single hit from Ella Pierce Hensley was enough to drive in both Caroline Stanton and Addie Rackley and then she made it across home plate thanks to another Collins Hill error and a single hit from Gabrels to give Buford a 5-0 lead after the first inning.
Gabrels led the Buford offense but other offensive standouts were Hensley (1-for-1, two RBIs, two runs scored, one walk, one stolen base), Rettiger (1-for-2, one RBI, one run scored, two stolen bases) and Castorri (1-for-2, a double, one run scored, one stolen base).
Rackley (4-0) pitched her fourth complete game and second shutout of the season. She only gave up two hits and no runs while striking out five.
Buford’s overall season record improved to 9-0 and 3-0 in Region 8-6A. This win was enough to give Buford sole possession of first place in the Region.
On Tuesday, September 3, Buford travels to play another Region 8-6A opponent at Mountain View. The game starts at 5:55 p.m.
