Softball playoffs: Defending champ Buford rolls to easy first round sweep

BUFORD - Buford pitching was as good as advertised Tuesday in the first round of the Class AA state softball playoffs.

Buford pitchers Karly Fullem and Melissa Dickie combined to allow just one hit in two games as the No. 1-ranked Lady Wolves swept Sonoraville 5-0 and 9-0 at home.

Fullem tossed a complete-game, no-hitter and struck out 18, including 15 in a row at one stretch in Game 1. Dickie allowed just one hit while fanning seven in Game 2.

Buford jumped on Sonoraville early in the first game with four runs in the bottom of the second and one in the fourth.

Juniors Whitney Wolfe and Dickie each had two hits and one RBI for Buford. Senior Ansley Kozloski also had two hits and one RBI for the Lady Wolves.

In Game 2, Buford needed just five innings to complete the sweep. The Lady Wolves scored two runs in the first, five in the third, and two more in the fourth to give Dickie plenty of offense to work with.

Alysha Rudnik paced the offense with two hits, including a double and a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Dickie added a two-run home run while Lexi Overstreet had one hit and two RBI and Fullem had two hits and two RBI for Buford.

Buford advances to the second round of the playoffs against a yet to be determined opponent. The second round is scheduled to begin Friday in Buford with a doubleheader. A third game, if necessary, with be Saturday in Buford.