A victory today over Pike County would give the Wolves their first state championship since 1977 when the two teams meet up in Game 3 of the Class AA title series at 4 p.m. Monday.
But Buford knows that winning will be anything but east after the Pirates and Wolves split a doubleheader on Saturday to send the series to a deciding Game 3.
Pike County played long ball to win Game 1 on Saturday in Buford, hitting three home runs in a 10-3 win -- Buford's first defeat of the postseason. The Wolves returned the favor in Game 2, blasting five homers in a 14-4 win in six innings.
After winning a coin-toss, Buford will be the home team in Game 3.
On paper the Wolves (30-4) may have the advantage with Georgia Tech-signee Josh Heddinger taking the mound in Game 3 while the Pirates will counter with their No. 3 starter, Lance Shelton. But, Shelton has shown to be a big-game pitcher over the last two weeks beating both Blessed Trinity and Lovett in deciding Game 3s.
The series finale will mean an exciting conclusion to the prep sports season in north Georgia -- one that included numerous state championships and plenty of memorable moments along the way.
It's been a particularly successful 2010-11 school year for Buford -- an athletic department used to success. The Wolves baseball squad is looking to claim the school's fourth team championship of '10-11 after Buford already won state championships in football (fourth straight), softball (fourth straight) and girls basketball (third straight). Buford also earned individual crowns in wrestling (Chip Ness, 152 pounds) and track (C.J. Moore, 100 meters), while its boys basketball team also finished as state runner-up.
In the coming days we'll take a look back on the 2010-11 season and the successes of area programs.
Josh Heddinger / photo: Josh Martindale
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/5/239122