BUFORD, GA — The Buford baseball team captured its fifth consecutive Region 8-6A championship Tuesday night with a 10-6 victory over Dacula at Gerald McQuaig Field.
Buford jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind RBI doubles from sophomore Ryan Johansen and freshman Payton Walker.
Senior Luke Hopper earned the win, tossing four innings and allowing just one earned run.
Dacula cut the lead to 4-3 in the fourth, but the Wolves answered. Junior Ayden Lockett’s sun-lost double led to a three-run inning, capped by a sac fly from Walker.
Buford pulled away again after the Falcons closed the gap to 7-6 by the sixth. Senior Cannon Goldin scored on a wild pitch, and freshman Dexter McCleon delivered a clutch two-out, two-RBI triple to seal the win.
Junior Kanon Nelson shut the door with a clean seventh inning for his second save of the season.
The Wolves (22-7, 15-2 Region 8-6A) will travel to Dacula on Friday for the final game of their 3-game series with the Falcons. First pitch is set for 5:55 PM
KEY PERFORMERS
Luke Hopper: 4 IP, 1 ER, Win No. 4
Dexter McCleon: 2-RBI triple
Ryan Johansen & Payton Walker: RBI doubles
Kanon Nelson: 2 IP, 0 ER, Save No. 2
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/4/1290438/baseball-buford-captures-fifth-straight-region-title