BUFORD, Ga. — The Buford softball team's streak is still intact.
The Wolves swept Walton in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs, 12-0, 9-0, on Tuesday at the Buford Softball Complex to advance to their 20th straight Elite 8.
In Game 1, after going down 1-2-3 in the first inning, the Wolves scored 11 runs in the next two innings to quickly put the game out of reach. Sophomore Brooklyn Atha was a one-person wrecking crew, with a 3-run HR, a double, and 5 RBIs for the game.
The Wolves got on the board in the bottom of the second inning after Atha doubled to center field, Izzy Rettiger singled, and Kadyn Gabrels doubled to right field, each scoring two runs.
Five more Wolves crossed the plate in the third inning to extend the lead to 11-0. Janie Goldin singled, scoring one run, Atha homered to center field, scoring three runs, and Summer Castorri hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.
With the score 11-0 going into the bottom of the 4th inning, Junior 1st baseman Addie Rackley led off the inning with her 14th home run of the season, a solo shot to center field that ended the game due to the run rule. Junior Caroline Stanton was lights out in the circle, throwing her 5th no-hitter of the season (10th of her career).
Junior Caroline Stanton (11-1) earned the no-hitter, going four innings while striking out 10.
Atha led the Wolves' offensive performance, going 2-for-2 at the plate with a 3-run HR, double, 5 RBIs, two runs. Junior Addie Rackley was 2-for-3 with a solo HR (game-ending), RBI and two runs. Sophomore Janie Goldin was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored, and junior Kayden Gabrels was 1-for-3 with a double and 2 RBIs.
In Game 2, The Wolves got on the board in the first inning when Summer Castorri grounded out, scoring one run. They blew it open in the second inning, thanks to Atha's second 3-run home run of the night, pushing the lead 4-0.
The Wolves added one run in the third after Kylie Gower hit a sacrifice fly, driving in Stanton.
Buford added to its lead with four runs in the top of the fourth inning thanks to back to back to back home runs by Castorri, Kadyn Gabrels, and Rackley.
Rackley earned the win for the Wolves, giving up one hit, no runs and eight strikeouts over five innings.
Atha again the Wolves at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, a 3-run HR, 3 RBIs and scored one run. Rackley went 2-for-3 with a solo HR, RBI and run scored. Gabrels was 2-for-4, solo HR, RBI, and scored a run, and Castorri recorded a 2-run HR, 3 RBIs and scored a run.
Buford (25-1) will play at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus on Wednesday, October 30 at 5 p.m. The Wolves will get the winner of the Brookwood/Grovetown series.
UNION COUNTY 9-13,
BURKE COUNTY 0-1
The Lady Panthers advanced to the Elite 8 tournament in Columbus in Class 2A after sweeping Burke County in second round on the road.
Union County (16-17) came into the playoffs as the 22nd seed in the Class 2A playoffs based on the Power Rankings System (PRS). But the fifth-seeded Lady Bears were no match as the Lady Panthers no-hit Burke County in the first game and allowed just one hit in the second game.
Union County next will take on fellow Region 7-2A foe Sonoraville on October 30 at 1 p.m. in the opening round of the Elite 8 tpurnament in Columbus.
