Softball: Buford, Jackson Co. lead area teams into 2nd round

BUFORD -- Seven-time defending state champion Buford got its quest for a eighth straight title off to a solid start with a sweep of Pickens in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs.<br /> <br /> The Lady Wolves took 6-2 and 14-6 wins over the Lady Dragons but do not yet know who they will play next week in the second round.<br /> <br /> Joining Buford in the second round is Jackson County in Class AAA after an 8-2 and 10-0 sweep of Franklin County. The Lady Panthers, the No. 1 seed from Region 8-AAA, will play host to the Rockmart-Ringgold winner next week in the second round.<br /> <br /> Also in Class AAA, Region 7-AAA No. 1 seed Dawson County split with East Jackson, dropping the first game 9-7 but rallying for a 4-3 win in Game 2 to stay alive. Game 3 is Thursday in Dawsonville. (NOTE: The Lady Tigers went on to win Game 3 10-9 and will face Cedartown in the Class AAA second round beginning Wednesday in Dawsonville.)<br /> <br /> In Class AAAAAA, South Forsyth swept Woodstock 1-0 and 2-1 and will take on Region 8-AAAAAA top seed Brookwood in the second round on the road. Mill Creek swept Parkview 8-0 and 11-3 and will travel to Lassiter next week in the second round.<br /> <br /> Other area teams, however, were not able to get out of the first round.<br /> <br /> White County lost 8-0 and 9-2 to Gilmer in Class AAAA while Lumpkin County was swept by Morgan County 1-0 and 5-1 in Class AAA.