BUFORD — Buford blasted three home runs during a nine-run first inning and cruised to a 13-1, four-inning victory over Jackson County on Monday, Aug. 31, at the Buford Softball Complex.
Senior Brooklyn Atha started the offensive surge with a two-run home run to left field, her fourth of the season. Three batters later, senior Ella Pierce Hensley launched a three-run homer to left for her third of the year.
Junior Taylor Sawyer followed with a solo shot to center field, also her third home run of the season, as the Wolves quickly built a 6-0 advantage.
A Jackson County pitching change did little to slow Buford. Ella Rackley added an RBI double, Janie Goldin drove in another run with a single and LG Goldin drew a bases-loaded walk as the Wolves finished the first inning with a 9-0 lead.
Buford added four more runs in the second.
Junior Emma Asmer scored on a wild pitch before Atha drew a bases-loaded walk. Junior Ansley Kehren then delivered a two-run double to left-center field, and LG Goldin followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 13-0.
Buford senior Brooklyn Atha slides into a base during the Wolves’ 13-1 win over Jackson County on Monday, Aug. 31, at the Buford Softball Complex. Atha hit her fourth home run of the season and drove in two runs in the victory. Photo courtesy of Buford Athletics
Junior Taylor Jackson handled the rest in the circle.
Jackson retired the Panthers in order in both the first and third innings and allowed only one run on four hits over four innings. She struck out four without issuing a walk to improve to 4-0.
Jackson County broke through with back-to-back hits in the fourth to score its lone run before Jackson recorded the final two outs to complete the run-rule victory.
Buford finished with 11 hits and drew eight walks.
Hensley went 1-for-2 with the three-run homer and a game-high three RBIs. Atha homered, walked twice, drove in two runs and scored twice.
Janie Goldin went 2-for-3 with an RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base, while Kehren finished 1-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Asmer also collected two hits.
The Wolves were also error-free defensively and stole four bases.
Buford improved to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in Region 8-7A with the victory.
The Wolves return to region play tonight when they host Collins Hill at the Buford Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
