BUFORD, Ga. — Four playoff victories have brought Buford back to Columbus. The next challenge is Richmond Hill.

The Wolves open the GHSA Class 7A Elite Eight against the Wildcats on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 3:30 p.m. on Field 5 at the South Commons Softball Complex. The double-elimination tournament runs Oct. 28-31.

Buford enters at 26-3 after sweeping Rockdale County and Seckinger, outscoring its opponents 58-2 across four postseason games. Three of those victories were shutouts.

The Wolves followed 17-0 and 16-0 first-round wins with 10-2 and 15-0 victories over Seckinger. LG Goldin hit her 10th home run of the season in the second-round opener, while Ella Pierce Hensley added her eighth. Ansley Kehren and Taylor Sawyer each drove in three runs in the clincher, and Taylor Jackson earned both pitching victories to improve to 11-2.

Richmond Hill, the Region 1-7A champion, returns to Columbus for the second consecutive season. The Wildcats swept Etowah before outlasting Dacula in three games, clinching the series with a 4-2 victory behind Delaney McDonald's two-run home run.

Wednesday's winner advances to face North Paulding or Northgate on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 2:45 p.m. on Field 3. The losing teams meet Thursday at 7:15 p.m. on Field 5 in an elimination game.