BUFORD — Pope spoiled nationally top-ranked Buford's bid for an undefeated season, 1-0, in the 11-inning Game 2 of the best of three Class 6A playoff series on Wednesday at Gerald McQuaig Field.
Buford (32-1) welcomes Pope back to McQuaig Field on Thursday for Game 3. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals next week.
After the Wolves knocked off Pope in Game 1, 8-1, Game 2 was completely different and was the ultimate pitcher's duel.
Buford Jax Brockett tossed seven scoreless innings, giving up five hits and recording a game-high 13 strikeouts. But Pope's Peyton Cariaco was just as good, going nine innings, allowing seven hits, no runs and logging 10 Ks.
The two Class 6A foes battled through 10 1/2 scoreless innings until Pope's Riley Frost singled in the bottom of the 11 to drive home the winning run.
Game 1 -- Buford 8, Pope 1: The Wolves slowly built its lead and blew it open with a four-run fourth inning to knock off Pope in Game 1 of the best of three series on Wednesday at Gerald McQuaig Field.
The Wolves (32-1) are one game away from completing the sweep and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Class 6A playoffs.
Dylan Lesko pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits while fanning 10 Greyhounds.
In the fourth inning, Treyton Rank started the inning with a triple to center field and on the next at-bat, Brant Baughcum singled in Rank to push the Wolves' lead, 5-0.
Riley Stanford, who led the Wolves offensive attack going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, smacked a three-run home run to blow open the game and give Buford an 8-0 advantage.
Rank was 2-for-3 at the play and drove in one run. Nathan Smith and Jackson Gaspard also drove in one run apiece.
Pope's lone run came in the top of the fifth inning.
AREA BASEBALL SCOREBOARD, Wednesday, May 5
CLASS 6A
Buford 8-0, Pope 1-1
CLASS 4A
Marist 6-10, Jefferson 3-0 (Marist advances)
CLASS 3A
Cherokee Bluff 1-9, Greater Atlanta Christian 2-6
Hart County 2-5, North Hall 0-8
CLASS A PUBLIC
Commerce 8-11, Bowden 7-7 (Commerce advances)
Thursday, May 6
CLASS 6A
Pope (R6, S2) at Buford (R8, S1) -- Game 3, 5:55 p.m.
CLASS 4A
Flowery Branch (R8, S3) at Cedartown (R7, S1) -- (DH), 4 p.m. -- (moved from Wednesday)
CLASS 3A
Cherokee Bluff (R7, S2) at Greater Atlanta Christian (R5, S1) -- Game 3, 5:30 p.m.
Hart County at North Hall (R7, S1) -- Game 3, 4 p.m.
Friday, May 7
Flowery Branch (R8, S3) at Cedartown (R7, S1) -- Game 3, if necessary, 6 p.m.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/5/1003120/baseball-playoffs-buford-bests-pope-in-game-1-8-1