COLUMBUS, Ga. — Buford's first game at the Class 7A Elite Eight ended with 19 hits and a place in the winners' bracket. The Wolves defeated Richmond Hill 14-6 on Wednesday at South Commons Softball Complex, advancing to face Northgate on Thursday.

Brooklyn Atha and Ansley Kehren each drove in four runs, while Mackenzie Fritsch went 4-for-4 from the ninth spot in the batting order. Ella Pierce Hensley added three RBIs as Buford scored 11 runs in the first three innings.

Hensley supplied the opening runs with a two-run single in the first. After Richmond Hill's Annalyah Estevez homered in the second, Atha delivered a two-run double in the bottom half. Sacrifice flies from Kehren and LG Goldin extended Buford's lead to 6-1.

The Wolves put together another productive inning after Delaney McDonald's solo homer in the third. Atha's sacrifice fly brought in one run, Kehren singled home two, and Buford added runs on an error and another Hensley single. The five-run third gave the Wolves an 11-2 advantage.

Fritsch led Buford in hits, with Hensley, Janie Goldin, Olivia Nagel and Taylor Sawyer also recording multiple-hit games.

Taylor Jackson earned the victory with four innings in the circle. She allowed six hits and five runs, four earned, while striking out three and walking six. Norah Cook also appeared in relief.

Buford will meet Northgate on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 2:45 p.m. on Field 3 at South Commons as the Wolves continue their pursuit of a state championship.