Above Photo: Freshman Tayve Borders had the game-ending hit for the Wolves in their game against Peachtree Ridge. Photo courtesy of Buford Softball
BUFORD — The Buford Wolves softball team participated in the Brookwood Invitational tournament on Saturday at the Buford Softball Complex. The numbers eight and zero are the magical numbers for the Wolves as they beat both Peachtree Ridge and Forsyth Central 8-0.
BUFORD 8 PEACHTREE RIDGE 0
Sophomore Olivia Duncan (5-1) pitches her fourth complete game of the season and her second shutout of the season against Peachtree Ridge on Saturday morning. She struck out five, only had three hits, and did not give up any runs.
The Wolves had a big first inning scoring four runs. Buford was aided by Peachtree Ridge pitcher A. Lunsford walking Taylor Malvin, then hitting Abbi Perkins with a pitch, and then a wild pitch allowed Perkins to later score. Junior Shamya Young hit a double which allowed Chloe Hatcher and Madison Pickens to score.
In the third inning, Perkins singled. After the next pitch to Emmy Hall, Perkins stole second base. Hall hit a single and that was all Perkins needed to make it into home base to score. Buford’s lone run scored in the fourth inning came off an Emma Castorri home run. In the bottom of the fifth inning, a double by Madison Pickens, a single by Young, Castorri being hit by a pitch, and a fielding error by Peachtree Ridge set the scene for two more runs to be scored by Buford. The game was called at that time due to the run-rule.
Young was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored. Hall was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. Castorri was 1-for-2 with a home run, an RBI, and one run scored. Freshman Tayve Borders was 1-for-3 with an RBI off the game-ending hit.
BUFORD 8 FORSYTH CENTRAL 0
In her best game of the season, senior Riley Reese pitches a shut out against Forsyth Central. Reese (1-1) pitched five innings, striking out four, and allowed only two hits.
Buford scored one run in the bottom of the second inning following two consecutive errors by Forsyth Central. In the third, Malvin singled and would then score a run when Perkins hit a triple. Next up for Buford was Hall who hit a sacrifice fly allowing Perkins to score.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Alicia Ross kicked off things with a single, then stole a base, moved to third off of a single by Emmaline Williams, and scored when Borders singled. Williams would score off a sacrifice fly by Mackenzie Pickens and then Borders would score when Perkins hit a single. In the fifth, Castorri would score off of a wild pitch and Borders would also score on a wild pitch to end the game.
Perkins led the Buford offense going 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs, and a run. Borders was 1-for-2 earning an RBI and scoring two runs. Malvin was 2-for-4 at the plate and she scored a run. Hall was 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and an RBI.
Buford’s overall season record improves to 15-2, and remains undefeated in Region 8-AAAAAA with a record of 8-0. The Wolves are currently ranked first in Class AAAAAA by both MaxPreps and Score Atlanta.
Up next for Buford is a non-conference game on Monday against Walnut Grove at 6 p.m. at the Buford Softball Complex.
— Staff Reports
