LAWRENCEVILLE — The Buford High School varsity baseball team rallied from an early deficit to defeat Mountain View High School 5–2 on Tuesday, Feb. 24, opening Region 8-6A play with a road victory.
Mountain View scored two runs in the first inning off Buford starter Ryland Perry to take an early lead.
The Wolves responded in the second inning, cutting the deficit to 2–1 after a leadoff walk and an infield error set up a run.
Senior Javy Ojeda tied the game in the third inning with a solo home run to right-center field — his second homer in four games.
Junior Ryan Johansen delivered the go-ahead hit in the fifth inning with a line-drive RBI single to center field, giving Buford its first lead of the game.
The Wolves added two insurance runs in the seventh inning. Senior Ayden Lockett drew a leadoff walk and Ojeda followed with a double before Johansen drove in another run with his second RBI single of the game to extend the lead to 5–2.
Sophomore Walker Taulbee earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit over five scoreless innings while striking out a career-high 11 batters.
Johansen led the Wolves at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and three stolen bases. Ojeda added two hits, including a home run and double, while scoring two runs.
Buford also drew seven walks and stole five bases in the game.With the victory, the Wolves improved to 4–0 overall and 1–0 in Region 8-6A play. Buford was scheduled to host Mountain View again on Feb. 25 at Gerald McQuaig Field. First pitch was set for 5:55 p.m