Buford Softball Wins 4A State Championship

The dominant Wolves softball team did not change their approach during yet another championship run this weekend in Columbus. The action all began Thursday by beating Ware County and Walnut Grove by the scores of 7-1 and 3-0; continuing on Friday by beating Thomas County Central by the score of 13-3.

After Friday’s night rout of TCC, the team’s mindset didn’t change as they would end up facing them again on Saturday in the championship game due to TCC beating Carrollton, becoming the winner of the loser’s bracket.

The Wolves began the game starting slowly offensively, but in no trouble due to the dominant pitching by Tennessee commit and ace pitcher Bria Bush. In the third inning, the flood gates began to open, starting with key walks by Jordan Deep and Drew Puckett, both Georgia Tech commits. The Wolves then turned it over to the contact hitters in Sydney Stavro (GT) and Baylee Sexton (Georgia State), who both have blazing speed. They surely didn’t disappoint as they got on base and the order kept moving right along. By the end of the fourth inning, the Wolves had broken the game open, as the walks and contact continued coming from impact offensive players in Remington Hasty (Georgia State), Sexton and Alexus Murray.

The time to celebrate had finally come. In the bottom of the sixth, Hasty legged out an infield hit, which would give her the 3rd RBI of the day, ending the game due to run rule at a final score of 9-1.

The team was filled with excitement as the program claims its eighth straight state title, once again proving themselves as the best team in the state, and quite possibly the best in the nation.

(Photo Source: Gwinnett Daily Post)

The team now says goodbye to possibly the best group of seniors to ever come through the program. All of these seniors were key players and leaders, which is proven by winning championships each year of their tenure at Buford. The senior players are as follows: Jordan Deep, Sydney Stavro (Georgia Tech), Remington Hasty, (Georgia State), Emily Crocker, Tessa Daniels (Florida State), Bria Bush (Tennessee) and Alexus Murray (Maryville College). These ladies will certainly be missed on the field, as they had impact in very big situations. However, what stands out to me impact off the field, as they always come into classes everyday being such an inspiration to me and many others as well. I think they will be great leaders as collegiate student-athletes the moment they step on campus. Personally, I will miss this group immensely as they have a special place in my heart, as well as many others in the Buford community. The gap of skill, leadership and character will be very hard to fill.

Prep Sports Blog: Buford Softball Advances to Round 2

The Wolves cruised along once again to impressive wins vs. Pickens County on Wednesday evening. Buford’s ace and Tennessee commit Bria Bush battled her way through Game 1 of the set only allowing 2 runs on solo shots. Offensively, the lineup produced in every slot. At the top, OF Sydney Stavro (Georgia Tech) and 3B Baylee Sexton (Georgia State) used their weapons of contact and speed to set it up for the middle of the order. Player of the Week nominee and 1B Tessa Daniels (Florida State) once again showed she can produce, as she hit a solo home run. Bush’s pitching dominance throughout the game and the potent offense gave the Wolves a 8-2 win with a chance to clinch the set and advance.

In Game 2, the Wolves sent out Kennedy Kotula to pitch and send the team on past Pickens County. The offense came out swinging early, as once again the top of the lineup set it up for the power hitters as they put up a 4 spot in the top of the first. Surprisingly, Kotula began to struggle a bit as Pickens County took a 6-4 lead after 2. That claimed to be no worry for the Wolves as they picked up Kotula to put up 10 runs in the fourth and it seems as if the offense would not stop stringing hits together no matter the circumstance. The offensive blast was highlighted by a 3 run inside the park home run by SS Drew Puckett (Georgia Tech). Kotula then settled down and dazzled with very deceptive stuff for the rest of the game. The Wolves would end up beating Pickens County 14-6, run ruling them after 5 innings.

The Wolves will face St. Pius next week at home after they swept the double header against Woodward Academy by the score of 2-0 and 5-1. I definitely see the Wolves continuing their dominance against St. Pius as their offense can’t be stopped and their pitching staff is definitely one of the best in the state of Georgia. I expect the team to stay focused throughout and head to Columbus for the final half of AAAA State Playoffs.

Prep Sports Blog: Buford Softball’s Tessa Daniels Nominated for Gwinnett Daily Post Player of the Week & Round 1 Playoff Preview

Buford’s powerhouse softball program moved to 29-1 on the year and claimed yet another region championship after squeaking by Madison County by a score of 4-3 in extra innings last Thursday night. An instrumental player in the win was Florida State commit and 1B Tessa Daniels. She battled through many injuries throughout the game, also making a spectacular play at the plate which saved a run and possibly the game for Buford. To cap it off, Daniels hit a walk off sacrifice fly with OF Samantha Thomas at 3rd to win the game in dramatic fashion.

Source: Buford Softball

Due to her heroics, she has been nominated by the Gwinnett Daily Post for Player of the Week. In my opinion, she is definitely deserving due to the fact she has made great plays the entire year and has the potential to break the game open at any given moment. You can vote for Daniels by clicking here.

After being a key piece on Buford’s championship dominant squad, the Seminoles will definitely be lucky to have her on their team which includes a rich history of many championships as well. I believe her amazing leadership along with her skills on the field will help the ‘Noles immensely.

On the other hand, Buford looks to continue their quest to an eighth straight state championship as they face Pickens County at home on Wednesday in a two game set beginning at 4:30. The Wolves should look to use Tennessee commit and ace Bria Bush to carry them to a victory, along with offensive talent all throughout the lineup. The lineup is ideal for the Wolves as they feature speed at the top with OF Sydney Stavro and 3B Baylee Sexton, power in the heart of the lineup in 2B Jordan Deep, OF Bree Gutierrez and OF Remington Hasty and run producers in the back of the lineup in 1B Tessa Daniels, SS Drew Puckett and C Alexus Murray. I look for the Wolves to beat Pickens County, even though they may face a bit of a challenge. The winner of this series will face the winner of St. Pius/Woodward Academy the following week.