BUFORD — Senior Kyle Krause delivered a historic performance on the mound Wednesday night, throwing his first varsity perfect game to lead the Buford High School Wolves baseball to a 13–0 victory over the Collins Hill Eagles baseball in Region 8-6A action.
The game, played at Collins Hill High School, ended after five innings due to the GHSA run rule.
Krause dominated from the first pitch, retiring every batter he faced in the five-inning contest. The senior right-hander allowed no hits, no runs and issued no walks, striking out five to secure the perfect game and improve to 2–0 on the season.
While Krause controlled the game from the mound, the Wolves’ offense wasted no time providing support.
Buford jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when junior Lio Garcia opened the game with a double. Junior Ryan Johansen followed with an RBI single to center field, and junior Payton Walker added another run with a fielder’s choice to make it 2–0.
The Wolves extended their lead in the second inning with four more runs. Garcia delivered a bases-loaded single to left field that drove in two runs, helping Buford take control early.
Buford added another run in the fourth inning when senior Vance Bock drew a bases-loaded walk, pushing the lead to 7–0.
The Wolves put the game out of reach in the fifth inning with a six-run frame. Junior Ian Chafin sparked the rally with a leadoff double into the left-field corner, followed by a four-pitch walk to sophomore Walker Taulbee. Garcia continued his strong night at the plate with a double to the right-center gap, scoring both runners.
Garcia later crossed the plate on an RBI single by senior Javy Ojeda, before senior Caleb Griffin delivered the biggest hit of the night — a three-run home run to left field, his first of the season.
Garcia led the Wolves offensively, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBIs and three runs scored, while also stealing two bases. Ojeda went 2-for-2 with two walks, three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Chafin added a double and two runs scored, and Griffin finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs on his fifth-inning home run.
Buford also showed discipline at the plate, drawing eight walks, and was aggressive on the basepaths with six stolen bases. The Wolves played clean defense behind Krause, committing no errors.
With the win, Buford improves to 9–1 overall and 5–0 in Region 8-6A.
The Wolves will return home Friday, March 6, to host Collins Hill in the final game of the three-game region series at Gerald McQuaig Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 p.m.. The program will also host Youth Night, recognizing local youth baseball teams prior to the varsity game.