Softball: Buford goes for unprecedented fifth staight title

COLUMBUS -- Last year, Buford continued one of the all-time great runs in Georgia softball history, winning its fourth straight Class AA state title.

Beginning today, the Lady Wolves will begin a quest to put themselves in a class all by themselves as they go for an unprecedented fifth consecutive state championship in Columbus. They open the tournament at noon against Southeast Bulloch (22-7) the No. 2 seed out of Region 3-AA.

The only other program to win four straight state titles is Eagles Landing Christian Academy, which accomplished the feat from 2006-09 in Class A.

"We've had a great run but it's really more a testament to all the coaches and players that have made it happen," Buford coach Tony Wolfe said about the chance to become the gold standard among softball programs in any classification. "It would be a great accomplishment, but, win or lose, we're proud of our program."

The last three years Buford came into the tournament as overwhelming favorites to win the title. This year, despite sporting a No. 2 ranking following the regular season, Wolfe brings a more blue-collar squad that has as many losses this year -- at 29-10 -- as in the previous three seasons combined.

"At the beginning of the year we were trying to fit in a lot of new players and get everyone in the right spots," Wolfe said about a 3-5 start. "We felt like we had a lot of talent coming into the year but we also had a lot of young players. It took some time but I think we found the right people."

The 2011 squad is a mix of young pitching combined with a lineup that has been punishing the opposition over the past month. They have scored five or more runs in 15 of their last 19 games, including averaging nearly 12 runs a game in the playoffs.

The only two starters returning in 2011 in the same position as last year are centerfielder Kodi Ricketson and shortstop Kallie Case. The Lady Wolves also rely on two freshmen pitchers in Tessa Daniels and Bria Bush. Both have been dominant so far, allowing just five total runs combined in six playoff games.

Yet the road to Columbus hasn't been completely smooth, as Buford was knocked off its Region 6-AA throne by then-No. 1-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian in the championship round. However, the Lady Spartans were swept out the state tournament last week by Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in the second round.

Meanwhile, the Lady Wolves have turned up their game in the state playoffs, going a perfect 4-0 in the first two rounds. As a program they have now won 13 consecutive state playoff games going back to a 2-1 loss to Rockmart in the 2009 championship series.

"We don't really do anything different," Wolfe said about how they approach the state tournament. "We try not to get to high or too low. You have to focus on each individual game. It's worked for us the last few years so I don't see changing anything up now.

"Our seniors each year have done a good job of passing on the tradition of Buford softball and I think that has contributed a lot to our success. The younger players have a whole season under their belt and are very mature for their age. We think we have a great chance to come back from Columbus with another title. But we know there are seven other talented teams down there so we will need to play our best game each time out. We'll see how it comes out."