Buford softball hosted Class AAAAAAA No. 1 ranked North Gwinnett on Friday as part of the Hawk Invitational tournament. The Lady Wolves came from behind to defeat the Lady Bulldogs 7-2 at the Buford Softball Complex.
Going the distance on the mound for Buford was sophomore pitcher Emma Grace Williams. Williams (2-0) pitched a complete game allowing five hits, two unearned runs, struck out four batters and did not give up any walks.
Offensively, the Lady Wolves would trail behind the Lady Bulldogs after they would score two runs in the top of the first inning off of errors made by Buford. Buford rallied in the bottom of the third inning when Olivia Haag scored off of a double by Madison Pickens. An Adriana Martinez single would drive in Pickens while Emma Castorri would score off of an error by North Gwinnett.
Going into the fourth inning, the game was Buford 3-2 over North Gwinnett. Buford had another successful inning starting as Abby McKinnis singled and then stole second. Tavye Borders hit a sacrifice bunt to allow McKinnis to get to third. Up next was Haag who hit the first-ever home run of her varsity softball career to drive in McKinnis and herself. Madison Pickens would add another run to the score with a solo home run.
Buford standouts on the offense were senior Haag who was 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, two RBIs and two runs scored; sophomore Madison Pickens was 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two RBIs and two runs scored; junior Olivia Duncan was 1-for-3 with one RBI and sophomore Martinez was 1-for-3 with one RBI.
The Buford Lady Wolves improve to 4-1 on their young season.
They will continue their play in the Hawk Invitational tournament on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the Buford Softball Complex against Harris County.
Featured photo above: Senior Olivia Haag hit the first home run of her varsity career on Friday against North Gwinnett. Photo by Julie Adams.
