Led by a complete-game, six-strikeout performance from Karly Fullem, the Buford High softball team defeated Greater Atlanta Christian 8-1 on Thursday night to win the Region 6-AA championship.
Fullem (11-1) threw her 11th complete game of the season while surrendering only four hits and walking one. The pitcher also went 2-for-2 with a run scored for Buford (24-4).
Chelsie Thomas went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored, Kodi Ricketson went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, two RBIs and two runs scored and Madyson Wynegar went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored for the Lady Wolves.
Buford will open play in the Class AA state playoffs as a No. 1 seed on Wednesday when it plays host to the loser of Region 8-AA’s tournament game between Fannin County and Dawson County set to be played Saturday.
UNION COUNTY 2, DAWSON COUNTY 0: Angie Hughes had 14 strikeouts in the complete-game win as Class AA’s No. 2 Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Tigers in the Region 8-AA tournament Thursday at North Oconee.
Hannah Hughes hit an RBI triple, her lone hit of the evening, to drive in Tori Dyer, while Kaitlyn Seabolt went 2-for-4, the only Union County player with two hits. Shawnna Brown, Callie Dyer, Tori Dyer and Kristin Hamby each had a hit for Union County.
Union County is the No. 1 seed from Region 8A-AA and will face the No. 1 seed from Region 8B-AA, North Oconee, at 10 a.m. Saturday at North Oconee.
Volleyball
BUFORD WINS TWO, LOSES ONE: The Lady Wolves defeated Decatur (25-14, 27-25) and Providence (25-22, 25-20) and lost to Hebron Christian (23-25, 23-25) in the Area 6-A/AA tournament Thursday at Greater Atlanta Christian.
Maggie Roper had 23 kills and 16 digs, Denee Badois had 10 kills and nine digs, Jenna Falletta had 25 assists, Bailey Hicks had 22 assists and 16 digs and Liz Darden had 43 digs for Buford (40-9). The Lady Wolves will open play in the Class A/AA state tournament on Oct. 16.
FLOWERY BRANCH SPLITS: The Lady Falcons lost at Cedar Shoals (19-25, 25-18, 23-25) and defeated Winder-Barrow (25-9, 26-14) Thursday in the Area 8-AAAA tournament.
Alexis Love had five aces and 16 kills, Amber Merchant had nine kills and Kenzi Grewett had four aces and 36 assists on the day for Flowery Branch.
Against Winder-Barrow, Kat McMillin had 10 kills for Flowery Branch, which plays the loser of Heritage/Rockdale County game at 11:15 a.m. Saturday at Cedar Shoals.
Cross country
NORTH HALL BOYS AND GIRLS WIN: The Trojans and Lady Trojans took first overall at the Unicoi Invitational held Thursday at Unicoi State Park.
Cody Barger placed first for the boys with a time of 16 minutes, 20 seconds while Luis Gonzalez was third and Brandon Lawson was fourth.
For the girls, Victoria Rogers took first place with a time of 20:09, while Ansley Lawson placed fifth and Kirsten Niedfeldt placed ninth.
North Hall will race at 8 a.m. Oct. 16 at Gainesville College.