COLUMBUS — No. 1-ranked Buford was stunned in the opening round of the Class 6A softball championships on Thursday, falling to Cambridge 3-1 at the Olympic Softball Complex.
The Lady Wolves (26-3-1) drop into the consolation bracket and will take on Creekview at 3 p.m Friday needing a win to stay alive in the tournament.
It was a pitcher’s duel right from the beginning. Buford would strike first in the fourth on a run-scoring double by sophomore Mackenzie Pickens for a 1-0 lead.
Cambridge, however, answered right back in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run. The Lady Bears added an insurance run in the sixth inning with a lead-off double and a sacrifice fly.
Despite the loss, Buford got a tremendous effort from junior Olivia Duncan in the circle. Duncan went the distance allowing six hits and fanning 11 while walking just two.
Mackenzie Pickens and twin sister Madison Pickens each had one hit for Buford.
If the Lady Wolves can move past Creekview, they would take on the loser of the River Ridge-Sequoyah game at 7 p.m. Friday in the consolation bracket.
CLASS 2A FIRST ROUND
DADE COUNTY 5,
UNION COUNTY 2
The Lady Panthers also dropped their Elite 8 opener on Thursday in the Class 2A tournament.
Union County will take on Vidalia at 1 p.m. on Friday looking to stay alive.
If the Lady Panthers can get past Vidalia, they would take on the loser of the Jeff Davis-Heard County game at 5 p.m. Friday in the consolation bracket.
