Family atmosphere fuels Lady Wolves title runs

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

Posted 2:02PM on Thursday, October 30, 2014

BUFORD -- The secret to Buford's amazing run of girls softball titles isn't as high-tech as you might think. Sure, the Lady Wolves have had sluggers like Alysha Rudnik and great pitchers like current hurler Bria Bush during their current streak of seven consecutive state titles. They also have long-time coach Tony Wolfe and nine-year pitching coach/guru Trent Adams. But the secret ingredient is far simpler and more intangible than all that. "Really, I think it's just about family," Wolfe said. "Each year we put a new family together and we just try to keep it together as long as we can. We've been blessed with great kids who enjoy each other and the game and I really think that has been a big factor for our success over the years." Buford will go for an unprecedented eighth straight title beginning Thursday in Columbus when they take on Wayne County at 2:30 p.m. in the opening round of the Class AAAA tournament at the Olympic Softball Complex. Most families are dysfunctional in many ways. But it's hard to find a crack at all in the Lady Wolves. Bush, a Tennessee-commit, who also is expected to open the tournament in the circle for the Lady Wolves for a third consecutive season, said they just try each year to build on the traditions set forth by previous teams and players. "I think we do operate like a family. The coaches just try to teach us that it is a game and to have fun," Bush said. "We work hard and practice hard at being better every day. But I didn't totally understand how much the seniors each year try to pass things along to the younger players until I became a senior this year. "Each year we tried to win it for the seniors. But now that I'm a senior I understand when (the past seniors) said they were trying to win to help the younger girls understand how to keep things going. It's been a little more emotional for me this year since this is my last year. But I've also been trying to enjoy the moments because every game now could be my last." This year may be a little different for Buford. After winning five straight titles in Class AA and the last two in Class AAA, the Lady Wolves are going for their first in Class AAAA. Buford (33-1) opens against a Wayne County team that is no stranger to Columbus. The Lady Yellow Jackets (26-4) are making their third straight trip to the Elite 8. They have allowed just four runs in taking easy sweeps of Eagles Landing and Crisp County in the first two rounds outscoring them 44-4 in the process. Wolfe said they definitely expect a tougher road to the finals this year. So far, the Lady Wolves are 4-0 in the playoffs after two-game sweeps of Pickens and St. Pius outscoring them 45-8. "This should be a deeper field (in Columbus) than in AAA or AA. I don't expect any easy games," Wolfe said. "Wayne County has a couple of good pitchers and the top of their order is very good. We're going to have to be ready to play from the first pitch." Two-time defending Class AAAA Northwest Whitfield is once again in the field but Buford knocked them off 7-3 earlier in the year in a tournament of last year's state champs. The winner of the Buford-Wayne County battle will take on the Walnut Grove-Heritage, Catoosa winner Thursday at 7:45 p.m. "Both of those teams are excellent so if we get by Wayne County we'll have a very tough second game," Wolfe said. The big question for Wolfe in Columbus will be how much time senior and Florida State-commit Tessa Daniels will see in the circle. Daniels got her first pitching action since the opening weekend of the season last week against St. Pius. But the Lady Wolves also feature junior Kennedy Kotula and senior Emily Crocker in the circle and junior Peyton Wolfe also has gotten innings during the season. While most teams beg for one quality pitcher, Buford has five that could start for most teams. That's where Adams comes in. "It was good to see Tessa be able to get out there and get some of the rust off," Wolfe said. "She has been a big part of our success the last few years. We'll see how things go. "As for Trent, he is outstanding at developing and working with the girls to bring out the best in each one. He is by far one of the hidden gems in the state." Bush said Adams has a way of bringing humor into pressure situations. "He always knows just what to say and does it in funny ways that helps you just relax," Bush said. "He's really good with the mental aspect of things. He has helped us all a lot." No matter the outcome, Bush said she and the rest of the seniors are trying to come to grips with the end of their high school careers they know are just days away. "I think we're all a little anxious knowing this will be the final weekend," Bush said. "It's going to be emotional in the dugout but once I get on the field it will be all about the game and nothing else. "We always come down here looking to win. We want to win. But if it doesn't work out that way it'll be okay. It's a game and it's supposed to be fun and that's how we try to approach it." For Wolfe, he doesn't like to talk about the streak, whether from superstition or just because in sports you just try to ride the wave for however long it lasts until it reaches the shore. "It really is about keeping the family together and not worrying about the streak. Every year is really a different team," he said. "But honestly, I feel it's a pretty incredible streak when I think about sports and how hard it is to win titles, just once. To have done it seven times in a row is humbling. "Hopefully we can get another one but if it doesn't happen at least we got a few more days together before the family breaks up for another year." NOTES: Dawson County also is making an appearance in Columbus. The Lady Tigers, the Region 7-AAA champs, will take on Pierce County at 2:30 p.m. in the opening round of the Class AAA tournament.

Jeff Hart Sports Reporter