Buford’s softball team clinched its spot in the state playoffs with a 12-0 mercy rule win over Westminster in the second round of the Region 6-AA tournament on Saturday in Lovett.

The game lasted just four innings.

Karly Fullem improved to 10-1 by pitching a perfect game and striking out six. She also hit a 2-run home run, which Lady Wolves statistician Brad Brown said was the first known homer hit at the new Charles S. Brooks Complex.

Lexi Overstreet was 2-for-3 with a double, triple and four RBIs, Chelsie Thomas was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs and Kara Cole was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs.

The Lady Wolves (22-4) will now play for the region title on Tuesday at 6:30 against the winner of Saturday’s Lovett-Greater Atlanta Christian game.

CROSS COUNTRY
WEST HALL PROGRAM EARNS TOP 5 FINISHES: At the Westover Invitational in Albany — an event featuring 27 schools — the Spartans finished third overall in the 5K event and the Lady Spartans fourth.

Leading the Spartans were Josh Pendley (15 minutes, 44 seconds), Jimmy Gault (16:23), Keegan Kyle (16:53),

Brandon Nguyen (16:56) and Junior Iniguez (17:18).

The Lady Spartans were led by Savannah Smith’s new school-record time of 19:03, follwed by Ryan Sharry (19:04), Taylor Long (19:56), Ansley Dobbs (21:07) and Yohet Terrones (21:32).

BARGER SETS PERSONAL BEST: North Hall's Cody Barger set a personal best with a time of 15:22 to win the individual title at the Asics Invitational. Brandon Lawson finished 11th with a time of 16:07 and was followed by Lewis Gonzalez (16:08, 12th).

Ansley Lawson finished 14th for the girls with a time of 19:14.

The Trojans finished fourth, the Lady Trojans seventh.

North Hall's next meet is Thursday at Unicoi.