The Buford softball team sweeps Kell in the first round of the GHSA Class AAAAAA State Playoffs on Wednesday afternoon at the Buford Softball Complex. The Lady Wolves defeated the Lady Longhorns 3-0 in the first game and 13-4 in game two.
In the first game of the series, junior Olivia Duncan (11-2) pitched her 10th complete game of the season. In seven innings of work, Duncan gave up 3 hits, no runs, struck out eight and only walked one.
Leading Buford’s offense in game one was Duncan who went 2-for-3 with a double, a two-run home run, earned two RBIs and scored a run. Other offensive standouts for the Lady Wolves were senior Taylor Malvin (3-for-3 with a triple, one run scored and two stolen bases) and junior Emma Castorri (2-for-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases).
In the second game against Kell, sophomore Emma Grace Williams (8-0) was on the mound for Buford. She pitched five innings, gave up seven hits, four earned runs and struck out five batters.
Duncan hit her second home run of the night to once again lead the Lady Wolves’ offense. She was 2-for-3 in game two with her solo home run, one RBI and a run scored. Other offensive standouts for Buford were senior Olivia Haag (2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored), sophomore Mackenzie Pickens (2-for-4 with three RBIs and one run scored) and sophomore Adriana Martinez (2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs).
Buford honored their senior softball players in between the first and second games with Kell. The senior players for Buford are Abby Cochran, Olivia Haag, Hunter Hays, Taylor Malvin, Jenevive Talabar and Alex Vazquez.
Buford’s overall season record improves to 24-2-1.
They will be on the road for the second round of the state playoffs. Buford will travel to play Effingham County in a double-header on Tuesday, Oct. 19 with the “if necessary” game to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Featured photo above: Junior Olivia Duncan pitches her 10th full game of the season against Kell in the first round of the state playoffs at the Buford Softball Complex on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Alicia Couch Payne
