Seven Buford softball players were honored by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association when the end-of-the-season awards were announced.
Buford won its second consecutive GHSA Class 7A Softball State Championship just over a month ago in Columbus after defeating East Coweta. Since then, members of the state championship team have been receiving recognition for their performances during their undefeated season.
University of Louisville commit, Madison Pickens was named the GACA Player of the Year. She had a phenomenal senior season. Pickens ended the season with a .609 batting average, 56 hits, 20 home runs, 52 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. In 92 at-bats, she did not have a single strikeout.
In addition to her award from the GACA, Pickens also won the Georgia Dugout Club Player of the Year Award and the Region 8-7A Player of the Year Award.
Sophomore pitcher Caroline Stanton received the Pitcher of the Year Award for her season performance. She put up impressive numbers this season — 0.77 ERA and an average of 12.65 strikeouts per game. Stanton pitched five no-hitters and her opponent’s batting average was only .102. She was also named the Region 8-7A Pitcher of the Year.
Seniors Adriana Martinez and Mackenzie Pickens were honored as GACA First Team All-State selections.
The GACA named senior Tavye Borders and sophomore Summer Castorri to the Second Team All-State.
The seventh Buford player to receive recognition was junior Izzy Rettiger, who was selected to play in the 2024 GACA Junior All-Star Game. The game is scheduled for June 3-4, 2024, at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
