During the Elite Eight round of the GHSA Class AAAAAA State softball tournament in Columbus on Thursday, Buford loses to Cambridge. Cambridge was able to beat Buford by two runs with a final score of 3-1. 

Although Buford lost, junior pitcher Olivia Duncan (12-3) still put in a strong performance as she pitched her 12th complete game of the season. She allowed six hits, three runs, struck out 11 batters and walked two opponents. 

Buford’s lone run scored came courtesy of sophomore Mackenzie Pickens who hit a run-scoring double in the top of the fourth inning. 

Cambridge would score two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off of a two-run home run to put them up 2-1. They added an insurance run in the sixth inning to close out the game 3-1. 

Buford (26-3-1) will have a chance to battle their way out of the elimination bracket when they take on Creekview on Friday at 3 p.m. in Columbus. 

Featured photo above:  Junior Olivia Duncan pitching at a regular-season game in Buford. Photo by Alicia Couch Payne