In a battle of the last two unbeaten teams from the state championship tournament in Columbus, Buford defeated North Gwinnett 3-1 on Friday evening, Oct. 28.
A strong first inning and then good defense the remainder of the game was key to the Wolves winning the game. Junior Madison Pickens had a lead-off single and after Adriana Martinez reached base courtesy of an error by North Gwinnett, Pickens would score Buford’s first run. Sophomore Kylie Gower hit a line drive to left field later in the first inning with two outs and bases loaded. This would bring in two additional runs for the Wolves.
North Gwinnett got on the board in the sixth inning with one run. In the seventh inning, Buford’s freshman pitcher Caroline Stanton struck out the Bulldogs’ lead-off batter and then senior Emma Castorri fielded a ground ball for the second out. North’s Bella Faw then hit a double to left field. Ella Janish would smack a line drive to center field. Faw rounded third base and was headed for home when Buford’s Tavye Borders threw the ball to Madison Pickens to get the final out of the game giving Buford the win.
Stanton (11-0) pitched her sixth complete game of the season. She gave up five hits, one unearned run and struck out four batters.
Offensive standouts for Buford were Gower (2-for-2, two RBIs), Castorri (1-for-2) and Pickens (1-for-2, one run scored).
The Wolves will compete in the championship game on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Columbus. They will play the winner of the loser’s bracket which will either be East Coweta or North Gwinnett.
FEATURED PHOTO: Caroline Stanton recorded the win on the mound for Buford while Kylie Gower led the Buford offense in their game against North Gwinnett in Columbus. Photos by David McGregor.
