COLUMBUS, Ga. — A pair of area teams got off to solid starts on Wednesday in the opening round of the State Fastpitch Softball tournament at the Olympic Softball Complex.
East Forsyth got its first-ever win in Columbus in Class 4A with a nail-biting 2-0 win over Islands.
The Lady Broncos next will take on Central-Carroll at 3 p.m. on Thursday in the winner’s bracket.
Meanwhile, Class 7A No. 1-ranked Buford, which had to battle back from the elimination bracket last week, continued its strong play with its first-ever Class 7A win in Columbus.
The Lady Wolves (30-1) used a huge 7-run sixth inning to blow open a close game en route to a 9-1 win over Parkview.
Freshman Caroline Stanton (10-0) allowed just one run while scattering five hits and striking out 6 in 4 1/3 innings. Olivia Duncan pitched the final 1 2/3 to get the save for Buford.
Stanton also helped her own cause at the plate smacking a 2-run home, her 12th of the season. Mackenzie Pickens had two hits and 2 RBI, including a solo home run, her sixth of the season. Kylie Gower added a hit and 2 RBI for the Lady Wolves.
Buford next will take on East Coweta on Thursday at 3 p.m..
Union County did not fare as well in the Class 2A tournament, falling 7-2 to Pierce County in the opening round. The Lady Panthers next will take on ACE Charter at 5 p.m. on Thursday trying to stay alive in the double-elimination format.
