Skip to main content

Buford Avenges East Coweta in Dominant Fashion

by: Tara Henry7 hours ago
IMG_1132

It was the matchup everyone had been waiting for and Buford came out swinging.

It was clear from the first pitch that the Wolves arrived in Columbus intent on avenging last year’s championship loss to East Coweta

Ole Miss commit Jada Savage got the start for the Indians, facing off against the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class, Florida commit Caroline Stanton. Stanton entered the game riding high after a perfect-game performance in her previous outing against Brookwood, where she struck out 20.

In his 20th year coaching in Columbus, Buford head coach Trent Adams couldn’t hide his pride in his team — particularly his freshman shortstop, LG Goldin, who collected three hits on the biggest stage.

“There’s no pressure like Columbus pressure. For a freshman to step in and do what she’s done is big. But the entire team has just done great and like I said, we haven’t done anything yet. I’m very happy with the way we’ve played, the way we’ve thrown it, the way we’ve defended it, hit, executed when we needed to — it’s been big.”

Much of Buford’s success begins in the circle with Stanton, who once again delivered a commanding performance. The tall right-hander allowed just two hits over five innings and struck out 11 in a 10-0 run-rule victory. Adams praised his ace’s mentality but emphasized that his squad knows there’s still work ahead.

“With (Caroline), she wants the ball,” Adams said. “And I’ve always said with Stanton, the bigger the situation is, the better she is going to throw. She likes that moment. She’s going to rise to the occasion when she’s in the circle with that much pressure — that’s just how she likes it.”

How It Happened

Addie Rackley set the tone early, smashing a changeup to deep center field in the first inning to give Buford a 2-0 lead. The Wolves kept the pressure on, scoring in every frame.

In the second, LG Goldin muscled a two-out single to the left side and immediately stole second. Sophomore Lydia Hamrick followed with a double over the left fielder’s head to make it 3-0. Stanton struck out the side in the bottom half, allowing Buford to get right back to work.

Summer Castorri extended the lead with a solo home run to deep center in the third, pushing the advantage to 4-0. The Wolves kept attacking in the fourth, as Kadyn Gabrels drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Goldin’s second hit of the game. Hamrick’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position.

Savage managed to induce a groundout for the second out before walking back-to-back hitters to force in another run, making it 5-0. Brooklyn Atha then lined a two-run single down the right-field line to stretch the lead to 7-0 and chase Savage from the game in favor of McKenna Holmes.

East Coweta briefly threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases, but Stanton responded by striking out the side for the second time.

Buford’s offense sealed the win in the fifth when Ella Pierce Hensley doubled down the left-field line, Gabrels followed with a single, and Goldin capped her big day with a three-run homer to left field to make it 10-0.

Goldin finished the night 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs — a breakout performance that drew more praise from Adams.

“She’s a special player and I’m glad we got three more years with her,” Adams said. “She’s definitely a special player and she’s got all the tools. She can field it, she can glove it, she can throw it, she can run, and she’s got power.”

Buford will advance to face the winner of East Coweta vs. Brookwood at 1:15 PM E.T. in the stadium as their quest for redemption — and another GHSA title — continues.

You may also like