JEFFERSON — With just three games left in the regular season, the Jefferson girls softball team is getting hot at the right time in Region 8-5A.
The Lady Dragons won their second straight game, and fifth in their last seven overall -- all in region play -- with a 13-1 thumping of Clarke Central in four innings on Wednesday at home.
The win moved Jefferson (16-10, 8-7 Region 8-5A) just one-half game behind fourth place Winder-Barrow (13-8, 8-6 Region 8-5A) and just 1 1/2-games behind second place Flowery Branch (15-10, 9-5 Region 8-5A).
Jefferson opened with a four-run first inning and blew it open with a seven-run third. Clarke Central got its only run in the fourth.
Addison Self got the win allowing just one hit in the circle.
Reagan Hays went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and Greysin Busch also had three hits and 2 RBI to pace a 15-hit Jefferson offense. Audrey Burton, Skylar Brady, and Natalie Beck each had two hits for the Lady Dragons.
Taylor Spivey had a hit and 2 RBI, and Avery Hays and Gillian Price each had a hit and an RBI as well.
The Lady Dragons will have a difficult stretch run, however. They travel to region-leader Loganville (22-5, 13-2 Region 8-5A) Thursday. They dropped their first two region games to the Lady Red Devils this season.
Next week they will close out the regular season against Heritage-Conyers and Winder-Barrow. They split four games with those two teams.
BUFORD 15,
CENTRAL GWINNETT 0 (3 inn)
A pair of sophomores got their first-ever varsity hits and RBI to help pace the No. 1-ranked Lady Wolves to a dominating win in Region 8-7A action at home on Senior Night.
Gabby Pierre had a double and drove in three runs and Carolyn Cagle had a hit and 2 RBI for Buford in their first-ever varsity starts. Freshman Addie Rackley added a double and 2 RBI and 3 scored three times, while sophomore Kylie Gower also had a double and 2 RBI and scored twice for the Lady Wolves.
Senior Olivia Duncan improved to 10-0 on the season in the circle giving up just one hit while striking out nine.
Buford (22-0, 13-0 Region 8-7A) will travel to Collins Hills on Tuesday.
