Buford softball back in Final Four, beats Union

COLUMBUS -- Buford softball is two wins removed from a fourth straight state title after defeating Union County 6-1 on Thursday to advance to the Class AA semifinals in Columbus.

The No. 1-ranked Lady Wolves (30-4) overcame a 1-0 deficit in the top of the second and never looked back, knocking the Lady Panthers (29-3-1) into the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament.

Buford will play again at 5 p.m. Friday against Greater Atlanta Christian with a trip to the title game on the line. The Lady Wolves have already defeated GAC three times this season by a combined score of 18-5.

Buford ace Karly Fullem played a key role in setting up a fourth showdown with GAC, largely shutting down Union County.

Lady Panthers lead-off batter Kaitlyn Seabolt did get the better of Fullem to start the contest, blasting a solo home run for a 1-0 lead. But once Buford gained the advantage in the top of the second inning Fullem made sure the Lady Wolves maintained control by striking out 11 Union batters en route to a complete game, two-hit performance.

Union County's Angie Hughes suffered the loss in the pitching circle, as Chelsie Thomas, Kallie Case, Lexi Overstreet and Rebekah Rude each came up with key hits for Buford at the plate.

Thomas and Case drove in runs in the bottom of the second with back-to-back singles for the Lady Wolves opening salvo. After scoring once more in the top of the fourth for a 3-1 lead, Overstreet helped put the game out of reach with a two-run home run -- her second blast of the day -- for a 5-1 advantage.

Thomas and Case each finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Thomas drove in two runs, as did Overstreet. Rude also went 2-for-3 and scored two runs.

It was a strong opening day for the Lady Wolves in Columbus, as they defeated Jeff Davis 4-1 in their first game to advance into the match-up with Union.

Against Jeff Davis, Buford got solo home runs Overstreet, Kodi Ricketson, and Melissa Dickie and an RBI double from Case.

Dickie earned the win in the pitching circle, going the distance while allowing just four hits, walking two, and fanning eight in seven innings.

The Lady Panthers defeated Pike County in their first contest of the tournament to move on to face Buford.

Union will take on the winner of the Dodge County vs. Berrien County game at 1 p.m. Friday.