In the very first at-bat of the entire game, Buford senior Taylor Malvin opens the game with a single home run against the Class AAAAAAA No. 1 ranked North Forsyth team on Monday night. Buford would hang onto the lead to win the game 5-4 over North Forsyth.
Mackenzie Pickens would also hit a home run, her eighth of the season, in the top of the first inning to drive in herself and her twin sister Madison Pickens to put the Lady Wolves up 3-0. Buford would add another run in the top of the second inning when Taylor Malvin scored on an error by the Lady Raiders.
North Forsyth would score three points in the bottom of the third inning on bases-loaded single hits. After the third inning, Buford would hold onto the lead 4-3.
Neither side could score a run again until the top of the seventh inning when the Lady Wolves would add one more point. Tavye Borders capitalized off of a fielding error to reach first and then stole second base. Borders put herself into scoring position when Malvin grounded out to second. Madison Pickens then hit a sacrifice fly ball to center allowing Borders to score putting the Lady Wolves up 5-3 going into the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Lady Raiders tried to gain some traction in their half of the seventh but fell short after adding one more run giving Buford the win 5-4.
Clemson commit, Olivia Duncan (7-2) recorded the win on the mound where she pitched all seven innings which is her seventh complete game of the season. She gave up seven hits, four runs (earned) and struck out six batters.
Offensive standouts for Buford were Malvin (3-for-4 with a solo home run, double, one RBI and 2 runs scored), Mackenzie Pickens (2-for-4 with a two-run home run, two RBIs and a run scored) and senior Olivia Haag (1-for-3).
Buford’s overall season record improves to 16-2-1 and 7-2 in Region 8-AAAAAA.
Buford will host Lanier on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Buford Softball Complex in a region game.
Featured photo above: Senior Taylor Malvin opens the game against North Forsyth with a home run. Photo courtesy of Buford softball.
