Softball: Defending champ Buford advances to Columbus

BUFORD - The Class AA No. 1-ranked Buford girls softball team continues to show off its pitching prowess in the state playoffs.

The Lady Wolves whipped Walnut Grove 9-1 and 9-0 in the their best-of-three second round series Friday to advance to the Elite Eight for the fifth consecutive year.

Buford got going early in Game 1 scoring one run in the bottom of the first before exploding for five runs in the third and three more in the sixth.

That would be all junior pitcher Karly Fullem would need. Fullem fanned 11 and walked none while allowing just one run on two hits.

The Lady Wolves offense pounded out 10 hits before the game was called in the sixth inning due to the Mercy Rule.

Sophomore Lexi Overstreet paced the offense with three doubles, a triple, and three RBI. Senior Samantha Ramey had one hits and two RBI for Buford.

Chelsie Thomas, Kallie Case, and Whitney Wolfe all had RBI hits for Buford.

In the second game, junior Melissa Dickie dominated the Walnut Grove hitters striking out seven with no walks and only two hits allowed.

Buford got all its runs in the fourth and fifth innings. The Lady Wolves pounded out 13 hits for the game, which was called in the fifth inning due to the Mercy Rule.

Junior Whitney Wolfe had three and two RBI to lead the offense. Senior Alysha Rudnik and junior Chelsie Thomas each had two hits for Buford. Fullem and Madison Wynegar both had RBI hits for the Lady Wolves.

Buford will begin play in the Elite Eight tournament in Columbus next Thursday, 10/22 at 12:00 p.m. Opponent to be determined.