Softball: Buford wins two, drops one at Tournament of Champions

TUNNEL HILL -- The Buford softball team defeated two reigning state champs but also suffered its first setback of the campaign on Saturday in the Tournament of Champions at Northwest Whitfield High in Tunnel Hill.<br /> <br /> The Lady Wolves (9-1) blanked defending Class AA champ Calhoun 5-0 on Friday before knocking off Class AAAA champ Northwest Whitfield 7-3 on Saturday morning. Defending Class A champ Gordon Lee proved too much for Buford, however, claiming its own 5-0 win over the Lady Wolves on Saturday afternoon.<br /> <br /> All of Gordon Lee's runs were unearned, as junior Peyton Wolfe took the tough-luck loss in the pitching circle. The Lady Wolves, meanwhile, managed just two hits off Gordon Lee pitching, both from senior Jordan Deep.<br /> <br /> The performance was a far cry from the morning defeat of Northwest Whitfield, when Deep led an offensive onslaught. Deep went 3 for 3 with two doubles, 3 RBI and a run scored in the win, while Baylee Sexton finished 2 for 4 with a double, RBI, 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. Tessa Daniels also cracked a two-run home run.<br /> <br /> Kennedy Kotula earned the win in the pitching circle, going 4 2/3 innings, while allowing 3 hits and 2 runs (1 earned). She also struck out 6. Emily Crocker earned the save in relief of Kotula, pitching 2 1/3 innings.<br /> <br /> The Lady Wolves started the tournament with a 5-0 shutout of Calhoun. <br /> <br /> Bria Bush earned the win with a complete game performance -- her second of season-- and first shutout of the campaign. Bush allowed 5 hits allowed and struck out 7 batters.<br /> <br /> Deep helped pace the offense, going 2 for 4 with 4 RBI, while Sydney Stavro finished 2 for 3 with an RBI, 3 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. Alexus Murray also went 2 for 3 with a double.<br /> <br /> Buford will resume play at 5 p.m. Monday against Lambert at Buford High School.