BUFORD — A five-run hole proved no match for Buford's offense Saturday as the defending state champions rallied for a 10-7 victory over North Forsyth.
The comeback kept the top-ranked Wolves perfect at 7-0 and pushed their winning streak to 43 games.
North Forsyth controlled the opening stages, scoring twice in the first inning when Lindy Ledden and Madison Hall came home on wild pitches. The Raiders stretched the advantage to 5-0 in the second, with Ali Neptune, Ledden and Hall each crossing the plate.
Buford answered before the inning was over.
Ansley Kehren scored the Wolves' first run on Emma Asmer's two-out single. Two walks then loaded the bases for Brooklyn Atha, who delivered a three-run double to right field. Asmer, Mackenzie Fritsch and Janie Goldin all scored, cutting North Forsyth's lead to 5-4.
Kennedy Townsend entered the circle for Buford in the third and helped steady the game. She worked the final five innings, allowing two runs on five hits while recording three strikeouts to earn the win.
The Raiders added a run in the fourth when Paige Averitt scored, but Buford responded again in the bottom half. Janie Goldin singled home Asmer, and Fritsch scored on a throwing error to even the contest at 6-6.
Buford took its first lead in the fifth. Kehren raced home from second on Lydia Hamrick's infield single, and pinch hitter Kami Vendola followed with a sacrifice fly that brought Hamrick across for an 8-6 advantage.
The Wolves created additional breathing room in the sixth. Atha drove in Janie Goldin with a sacrifice fly to center, and Kehren singled home Ella Pierce Hensley to extend the margin to four runs.
North Forsyth made one final push in the seventh. Pinch hitter Eleanor Sneddon homered to bring the Raiders within 10-7, and three more runners reached base during the inning. Buford stopped the rally before any further damage could be done, securing another victory in its unbeaten start.
The Wolves' response to the early deficit highlighted the depth of their lineup. Buford produced runs through extra-base power, situational hitting, aggressive baserunning and pressure on the North Forsyth defense, turning a difficult opening into its 43rd consecutive win.
