BUFORD – Each of the past two years, Buford softball has felt the glory of lifting a championship trophy. It comes off of an unprecedented season where it never found itself in the loss column.
The Wolves, however, fuel themselves entering the 2024 season by facing some doubts.
Buford lost seven seniors – including multiple who are headed to Power Five programs – and had to retool. The group of Madison Pickens, Mackenzie Pickens, Tavye Borders, Taryn Gibbs, Emma Grace Williams, Adriana Martinez and Gracie Griffin led the way in Buford’s 32-0 campaign in which it ranked as the top team nationally according to MaxPreps. Now, the Wolves have new questions to answer.
“It was crazy what we did last year. That team was really, really special,” fourth-year head coach Trent Adams said. “I’m excited about this team and seeing what we can do. A lot of people are thinking we lost a lot, and we did, but I’m looking forward to seeing what we’ve got.”
Buford, opening its season in a top-tier opponent in River Ridge on Aug. 8, has four seniors in its upcoming campaign. The Wolves will rely on a lot of younger pieces, including six juniors, to carry the load.
Adams said he will have to plug-and-play at times throughout the fall, but will rely on ace pitcher Caroline Stanton along with Addie Rackley in the circle. Offensively, Adams anticipates sophomores Janie Goldin, Ella Pierce Hensley and Brooklyn Atha, along with seniors Gabby Pierre and Carolyn Cagle having significant contributions.
“There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t see. I’ve enjoyed it,” Adams said.
Stanton, who highlighted the team’s connectedness as “a group working toward the same goal,” posted a 0.77 earned run average (ERA) with an average of 12.65 strikeouts per game. Stanton dodged her personal accomplishments and attributed her success to the defense behind her, along with the work of her outside pitching coaches Adrienne Cherry, Laura Rothrock and Cat Osterman.
Adams added that Buford focused on defense throughout summer workouts, and it hopes to see the fruits of that labor.
“One thing is knowing that a lot of people are doubting us right now,” Stanton said. “It gives us a lot to work for and try to prove people wrong. We have a lot of talented girls in my class, along with some younger people trying to learn the ways of Buford softball.”
From a scheduling perspective, Buford has 22 games on the slate, including tough non-region opponents in the aforementioned River Ridge and Wesleyan. Adams wants to add three-or-so more games to the schedule, and will play another tournament aside from the one on Aug. 24 in Oconee County if necessary.
Adams and Stanton concurred that Buford’s tougher regular-season games will help it when it comes time for the potential super regional and state championship series. The Wolves hold confidence that they will reach that point yet again.
Each game, however, gives Buford a mission to squash doubts. It doesn’t believe the skepticism will hold much validity.
“I want to see where this year can take us,” Adams said. “I’m excited and can’t wait to get to work.”
VARSITY SCHEDULE:
Aug. 8: at River Ridge — 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 13: at Walnut Grove — 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 19: vs. Cambridge — 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 20: vs. Dacula — 5:55 p.m.
Aug. 22: at Mill Creek — 5:55 p.m.
Aug. 23: vs. Morgan County at North Oconee — 4:00 p.m.
Aug. 24: vs. Apalachee at neutral site — 1 p.m.
Aug. 24: vs. North Hall at neutral site — 3 p.m.
Aug. 27: vs. Collins Hill — 5:55 p.m.
Aug. 29: OPEN
Sept. 3: at Mountain View — 5:55 p.m.
Sept. 4: vs. Wesleyan — 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 5: at Dacula — 5:55 p.m.
Sept. 10: vs. Mill Creek — 5:55 p.m.
Sept. 11: vs. Walnut Grove — 6:30 p.m.
Sept 12: at Collins Hill — 5:55 p.m.
Sept. 18: vs. River Ridge — 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 19: vs. Mountain View — 5:55 p.m.
Sept. 24: vs. Dacula — 5:55 p.m.
Sept. 26: at Mill Creek — 5:55 p.m.
Sept. 28: vs. North Cobb — 11:00 a.m.
Oct. 1: vs. Collins Hill — 5:55 p.m.
Oct. 3: OPEN
Oct. 8: at Mountain View — 5:55 p.m.
**OPEN dates indicate Buford continues to search for an opponent**
JUNIOR VARSITY SCHEDULE:
Aug. 8: vs. Grayson — doubleheader at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Aug. 10: vs. Allatoona — tournament, time and location TBD
Aug. 12: vs. North Forsyth — 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 13: at Walnut Grove — 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 15: at North Forsyth — 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 19 vs. Cambridge — 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 22: at Cambridge — 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 28: at Jefferson — 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 11: vs. Walnut Grove — 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Banks County — 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: vs. Jefferson — 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 17: vs. Winder-Barrow — 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: at Winder-Barrow — 4:30 p.m.
VARSITY ROSTER:
Sr. IF Kylie Gower (#33)
Sr. INF/OF Izzy Rettiger (#11)
Sr. INF/OF Carolyn Cagle (#16)
Sr. OF Gabby Pierre
Jr. P/OF Caroline Stanton (#1)
Jr. INF Kadyn Gabrels (#7)
Jr. P/INF/OF Addie Rackley (#8)
Jr. INF/OF/C Summer Castorri (#17)
Jr. INF Katie Davis
Jr. INF Carolina Heinritz
Soph. INF/OF Brooklyn Atha
Soph. IF/C Janie Goldin
Soph. INF/OF Ella Pierce Hensley
Soph. INF/P Olivia Nagel
Soph. INF/C Lilly Dinca
JUNIOR VARSITY ROSTER:
Soph. INF/P Kennedy Townsend
Soph. INF Risha Patel
Soph. INF/P Olivia Nagel
Soph. OF Valeria Ortiz
Soph. OF Avery Ewing
Soph. INF/C Lilly Dinca
Fr. 1B/C Norah Cook
Fr. 1B/P Zayna Padania
Fr. INF Taylor Sawyer
Fr. INF Emma Asmer
Fr. INF Lydia Hamrick
Fr. OF/C Maddie Waycaster
Fr. OF Morgan Webb
Fr. OF Bryana Appling
Fr. 1B Lilly Humphrey
Fr. OF/C Hayden Halper
Fr. OF/C Grayson Payne
Fr. INF/OF Kinsley Crawford
