FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — In a battle of state runners-up in 2024, Buford got a stellar pitching performance from Addie Rackley in taking an 8-0 win in five innings over Cherokee Bluff on Monday on the road.
Rackley tossed a 1-hitter, struck out 10 batters, and walked none in the complete game win.
The game was closer than it finished as the Lady Wolves led just 2-0 after three innings when Janie Goldin tripled to lead off the game and scored on a wild pitch in the first. Goldin would score again in the third on an error.
Buford added three runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to get the Mercy Rule win.
Payton Davis took the loss for Cherokee Bluff, giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits, striking out one and walking none in four innings.
Caroline Stanton had a hit and two RBI for Buford. Rackley, Brooklyn Atha, LG Goldin, Ella Pierce Hensley, and Olivia Nagel all had one hit for the Lady Wolves.
Mac Warren had the lone Cherokee Bluff hit, breaking up Rackley’s no-hit bid in the fourth.
Buford next will head to Mill Creek on Tuesday in a battle for first place in Region 8-6A.
Cherokee Bluff will play host to East Hall on Tuesday in Region 8-3A action.
NORTH FORSYTH 12,
RIVER RIDGE 4 (5 inn)
The Lady Raiders ran their win streak to seven straight with a dominating win at home on Monday.
North Forsyth (13-5) scored in all but one inning, pounding out 15 hits on the day. Paige Averitt had three hits and three RBI to lead the attack and Ela Rouse also had three hits, including two doubles for the Lady Raiders.
River Ridge actually took the opening lead with a run in the first but North Forsyth answered with three in the bottom of the inning to grab the lead. The Lady Raiders added three more in the third, two in the fourth, and invoked the Mercy Rule with a four in the fifth.
Carlyann Wilkes got the win, allowing four runs on eight hits in four innings. She fanned two.
North Forsyth next will travel to Cambridge on Thursday.
FLOWERY BRANCH 15,
WEST HALL 0 (3 inn)
The Lady Falcons scored four runs in the first, two in the second, and nine in the third to invoke the Mercy Rule at home.
Ella Hooper had three doubles and drove in five runs to lead a 13-hit attack for Branch. Lindsey Heck had three hits and Kayla Gray had two hits for the Lady Falcons.
Heck got the win tossing a no-hitter and striking out seven in three innings.
Flowery Branch will jump back into Region 8-4A play on Tuesday traveling to North Oconee.
CHESTATEE 15,
DISCOVERY 0 (4 inn)
The Lady War Eagles won their second straight game on Monday, routing the Lady Titans in four innings.
Ella Kinsey had a huge game with four hits, including a triple and a home run, and drove in four runs for Chestatee. Ellie Gordon had three hits and three RBI, Kathryn Williams had three hits and knocked in three runs, and while Savannah Petty had a triple and two RBI for the Lady war Eagles.
Chestatee scored in every inning, plating six runs each in the first and fourth innings to invoke the Mercy Rule.
Williams tossed a complete-game three hitter for Chestatee to get the win. She struck out five and walked just one.
Chestatee next will play host to to Greater Atlanta Christian on Tuesday in a Region 6-3A contest.
