RABBITTOWN, Ga. — On Tuesday, the East Hall softball team fought off an Oconee County rally to escape with the 9-7 Region 8-3A win at East Hall Park.
The Vikings built a five-run lead thanks to home runs from Kaylana Curry and Amari Burce in the first inning, a Curry RBI double, Elaina Hendrix's RBI single, and an error in the second inning to take a 5-0 lead.
Oconee County tired the game in the fourth inning off a home run by Reagan Robers and a fielder's choice from Omi Cheely, but the Vikings took back the lead, 9-5, in the bottom of the fifth inning off a Savannah Smith single, Aniyah Smith's RBI ground out, Curry doubled in a run and Burce's RBI single.
Burce picked up the win for the Vikings, allowing seven runs on nine hits over seven innings. She recorded 10 strikeouts.
BUFORD 12,
WINDER-BARROW 0
The top-ranked Wolves (15-1, 7-0) came out swinging in a four-inning rout of the Bulldoggs. Buford recorded 13 hits, seven of those went for extra bases.
Up 2-0 in the 2nd inning, the Buford team created some breathing room thanks to a triple by Izzy Rettiger (2 for 3, 2-run HR (1st of the season), triple, 4 RBIs, one run scored) that scored Kylie Gower and Janie Goldin.
The Wolves would blow the game open in the 3rd inning, which began with a solo home run by Caroline Stanton (2 for 3, homerun (8th of the season), 2 RBIs, one run scored). After Brooklyn Atha reached on base due to an error, Ella Pierce Hensley belted a triple to left-center field, scoring Atha. On the next at-bat, Hensley scored after a ground-out from Kylie Gower. Two batters later, with Goldin on base, Rettiger belted her first home run of the season, a towering flyball that found the scoreboard in right field. Summer Castorri (3 for 3, solo HR (8th of the season), RBI, 2 runs scored, 3 stolen bases) followed up Rettiger with a solo home run of her own to left field for the Wolves' 6th run of the inning.
With the score 10-0 going into the 4th inning, two outs, and Gabby Pierre on base, Olivia Nagel came off the bench and drove a line drive into centerfield for a double, scoring Pierre. That set the stage for Lily Dinca, who stroked a line drive between the left and center fielders, scoring Nagel and ending the game due to the run rule.
Caroline Stanton (6-1) was lights out in the circle, only allowing 1 hit while striking out 9 batters, without giving up a walk.
Buford will host River Ridge on Wednesday at the Buford Softball Complex. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
