WOODSTOCK, Ga. — Buford opened the GADC Leadoff Classic with two wins Saturday at Twin Creeks Softball Complex, defeating East Paulding 10-3 and Kell 3-2.
The Wolves totaled 13 runs and 18 hits across the two games while playing error-free defense.
Buford 10, East Paulding 3
East Paulding took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Chloe Grier's two-run home run, but Buford answered in the second when Kami Vendola singled home the tying runs.
Grier homered again in the third to put the Raiders back in front, 3-2. The Wolves responded with six runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Ansley Kehren hit an RBI triple, Vendola added a run-scoring single and Mackenzie Fritisch drove in two runs with a single. Brooklyn Atha followed with an RBI single, and another run scored on an error.
Buford finished with 14 hits. Lydia Hamrick went 3-for-3 with three runs, an RBI and two stolen bases. Atha went 3-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a stolen base.
Kehren recorded two hits, two triples, two runs and an RBI. Vendola went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Fritisch also drove in two runs. LG Goldin collected two hits and stole three bases.
Norah Cook earned the win after allowing three runs on four hits over three innings. She struck out four without issuing a walk.
Taylor Jackson pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out four.
Buford 3, Kell 2
The second game featured fewer scoring opportunities.
Kell took a 1-0 lead in the second inning before Fritisch put Buford ahead with a two-run single in the bottom half.
Atha extended the lead to 3-1 with a solo home run to center field in the third. That run proved decisive as the Wolves held on for the one-run victory.
Atha accounted for two of Buford's four hits, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, an RBI and a run. Fritisch went 1-for-2 and drove in two runs, while LG Goldin added a double.
Carsyn Hunter earned the win after allowing one run on three hits over four innings. She struck out two.
Jackson recorded the save, pitching the final two innings with three strikeouts.
Buford completed both games without committing an error and turned a double play against Kell.
Across the two victories, Atha went 5-for-7 with a home run, a double, two RBIs and two runs. Fritisch drove in four runs, while Jackson totaled seven strikeouts over four innings of relief.
The Wolves will face Mill Creek at home on Tuesday at the Buford Softball Complex in the Region 8-AAAAAAA opener at 6:00 pm.
