BUFORD -- The dream had to end for one Cinderella team Monday at Gerald McQuaig Field.
Fortunately for Buford, the glass sleeper fit just right as the Wolves won their first state baseball title in 34 years with a 5-1 win over Pike County in the deciding game of the two teams' Class AA championship series.
Pike County, which knocked Buford out of the playoffs a year ago, was looking for its first-ever championship.
Josh Heddinger provided the catalyst for Buford to win its fourth team state title this season tossing a complete-game, two-hit gem to close out his high school career. He began the game with a strike out and finished with 10 for the game as only one Pike County batter advanced past first base after the second inning.
"I felt great coming into the game. I think it probably was my best game ever, "said Heddinger, a right-hander who is headed to Georgia Tech in the fall. "I feel like a lot of weight is lifted off our shoulders. I can breathe now. It's just an awesome feeling."
While Heddinger was carving up a potent Pike County offense, the Buford bats came alive early against Pirates' starter Lance Shelton, who had been unbeaten in Game 3 starts in the playoffs this season.
The Wolves jumped on Shelton early with a run on two hits in the first inning. It could have been much more, however, as Troy Herterick just missed a three-run home run before striking out. Mason Gentry gave them the early lead driving in Tyler White but Jamie Ritchie was tagged out at third trying to advance on Gentry's hit.
That was all Heddinger would need.
"We have a lot of confidence in Josh and without a doubt he saved his best for last," said Buford coach Tony Wolfe, who also guided the girls softball team to a state title in the fall. "I've been after a baseball title for a while but it's not about me. It's about this group of seniors who have worked hard. To watch them grow over the last two years has been very satisfying."
Pike County coach Don Hanson said Shelton, who also went the distance allowing 10 hits, and his group gave it everything they had but just could not solve Heddinger.
"Josh was outstanding. You just have to tip your cap to him," Hanson said. "We never felt out of the game but Josh was just too tough. I thought Lance pitched very well. He made a couple of mistakes late but we couldn't have asked anything more from him. We had a great year and hopefully you'll see more of Pike County in the future."
Following Buford's early run, the Pirates answered right back in the top of the second on Chris Long's third home run of the series to tie the game at 1-1. It would be the only hit Heddinger would give up until a two-out single in the seventh. The Pirates also had a chance to add on in the second but Brett Butler lined out to Buford's Zac Lynn that he turned into a double play to end the inning.
Both pitchers then settled down with Heddinger retiring nine straight into the fifth inning and Shelton six in a row through the third inning. Heddinger retired 18 of the final 20 batters he faced.
Buford would reclaim the lead for good in the fourth when Adam Hampton knocked in Gentry, who singled with one out. But again the Wolves' chances for a big inning was snuffed out when pinch-runner Kyler Barrett was gunned down at third by Game 1 winner Kody Adams from centerfield.
Hampton then put the game away in the sixth for Buford with a two-run home run to left, his second of the series, following a lead-off double by Heddinger, for a 4-1 lead. The Wolves would add another run on a wild pitch scoring Clay Gant.
Hampton said after blast he knew the series was over.
"We had Josh on the mound with just three outs to go and I knew there was no way they were going to score five on him," Hampton said. "I just felt good at the plate the whole series. I'm just glad I could help the team win. It's just awesome right now."
For the series, Hampton finished with five hits, including two home runs, seven RBI, walked three times, and scored four runs from the No. 7 spot in the lineup,
"Adam had a fantastic series," Wolfe said. "He and Heddinger had to be our MVPs. Whenever we needed a big hit Adam came through."
Sunday
February 2nd, 2025
12:44AM
