Wolves finish Region 8-7A play unbeaten with 15-3 win over Mill Creek

BUFORD — Buford softball secured its fifth consecutive region championship Tuesday with a 15-3 victory over Mill Creek, completing an unbeaten run through Region 8-7A.

The Wolves improved to 18-2 overall and 9-0 in region play while claiming the program’s 17th fastpitch region championship since 2002. The win also secured Buford’s automatic berth in the Class 7A state tournament.

Mill Creek struck first on an RBI double by Laila Torres, but Buford answered in the bottom of the first.

Brooklyn Atha hit a two-run home run to right field to give the Wolves a 2-1 lead. The homer was Atha’s team-leading 13th of the season.

Buford broke the game open with six runs in the second inning.

Mackenzie Fritsch drew a bases-loaded walk and Ansley Kehren added a sacrifice fly before LG Goldin delivered a three-run home run to center field. It was Goldin’s fourth homer of the season and her third in as many games.

The Wolves added seven runs in the third.

Fritsch drove in two runs with a single, Kehren added a two-run double and Goldin drew a bases-loaded walk. Ella Pierce Hensley capped the inning with a two-run home run to left field, her sixth of the season.

Kehren finished with a double and three RBIs. Fritsch reached base twice, scored two runs and stole a base.

Janie Goldin had a hit, a walk, two runs and a stolen base, while Lydia Hamrick walked twice, scored twice and accounted for three of Buford’s six stolen bases.

Olivia Nagel earned her first victory of the season, pitching all four innings. She allowed three earned runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk.

Buford played error-free defense behind her.

The championship continues a stretch of region success for a program that has won titles across multiple classifications and regions.

With its postseason berth secured, Buford returns to action Thursday at Seckinger.