SOFTBALL
Buford 12, Mountain View 2
Buford defeated Region 8-AAAAAAA opponent Mountain View 12-2 in five innings thanks to three home runs by the Wolves on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Mountain View. The win means Buford remains on top of the region and keeps a perfect season record at 14-0.
Recording the win on the mound for the Wolves was junior Emma Grace Williams (4-0). She pitched for five innings giving up five hits and two earned runs and striking out five.
Home runs were responsible for seven out of the 12 runs scored by the Wolves. Senior Olivia Duncan hit her third home run of the season, while freshman Caroline Stanton got her sixth home run of the season. Sophomore Abby McKinnis was called in to pinch hit in the fifth inning and was able to get her first-ever home run of her varsity career.
Offensive standouts for Buford were Stanton (3-for-3, two-run home run, three RBIs, two runs scored), Duncan (3-for-3, two-run home run, two RBIs), junior Madison Pickens (3-for-4, double, two RBIs, three runs scored) and McKinnis (1-for-1, pinch-hit three-run home run, three RBIs).
The Wolves travel to play the No. 2 team in Region 8-AAAAAAA, Mill Creek on Thursday, Sept. 15.
North Gwinnett 9, Peachtree Ridge 1
North Gwinnett knocked off fellow Region 7-AAAAAAA opponent Peachtree Ridge 9-1 in six innings on Tuesday thanks in part to freshman pitcher Victoria Na’s performance on the mound. The Bulldogs improve to 3-0 in their region.
Na struck out 16 batters while giving up five hits, an unearned run and three walks against the Lions.
Leading the North Gwinnett offense were Bella Faw (3-for-4, double), Ella Janish (two hits, three RBIs) and Avery Fielden (triple, two RBIs). Also contributing to the win were Na, Landry Rabitsch, Amber Reed and Sydney Woyce.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, North Gwinnett is on the road for a region game at Duluth.
VOLLEYBALL
Buford 3, Mill Creek 0
The Buford varsity volleyball team hosted Mill Creek on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in a region game. The Wolves beat the Hawks with set scores of 25-16, 25-12, 25-13 to make their record for Region 8-AAAAAAA competition 3-0. Buford is in first place in the region.
Standouts for Buford against Mill Creek were senior Ashley Sturzoiu (15 kills), senior Sydney Austin (10 kills), senior Polly Cummings (22 assists) and senior Dylan Cummings (10 digs).
Buford travels to Pope High School on Thursday, Sept. 15 for non-region games against Pope and St. Pius X. The first game starts at 5:30 p.m.
North Gwinnett defeats Discovery, Peachtree Ridge
On Tuesday, North Gwinnett’s varsity volleyball team traveled to Discovery High School for region competition. The Bulldogs beat Discovery 25-11, 25-16 and Peachtree Ridge 25-20, 25-13. North Gwinnett is in first place in Region 7-AAAAAAA.
Standouts for North Gwinnett were senior Joya Screen (20 kills, three blocks), senior Abby Taylor (31 assists, nine aces, three kills, five digs), junior Cailyn Hollinquest (eight kills), sophomore Esosa Ehigiator (seven kills, four blocks) and senior Katherine Mollette (25 digs, two aces).
North Gwinnett’s overall season record improves to 26-0. MaxPreps has the Bulldogs ranked as the No. 1 team in Class AAAAAAA in the state.
The Bulldogs will not play again until Tuesday, Sept. 20, when they travel to Duluth High School for more region competition. They will face Duluth and Berkmar. The first game starts at 5 p.m.
FEATURED PHOTO: Caroline Stanton, Olivia Duncan and Abby McKinnis each hit home runs that helped power Buford to a 12-2 win over Mountain View on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. Photos by David McGregor.
