Buford sweeps to end Woodland's playoff run

The Woodland Lady Cats’ 2018 season came to an abrupt halt Wednesday night at home as they were swept by visiting Buford in a Class AAAAA state playoff doubleheader. Woodland, the Region 7-AAAAA champions, fell to the Wolves in the best-of-three series 13-0 and 6-3.

With the two second round playoff wins, Buford (17-10) advances to the state final eight-team, double-elimination portion of the state tournament in Columbus for the 14th consecutive year.

Photo by Randy Parker, The Daily Tribune News

The Lady Cats were limited to only two hits by Jordan Duck (photo) in the opener as Buford pitcher Ansleigh Hollified silenced the Woodland bats. She struck out four and walked one in earning the four-inning shutout.

Woodland did not go quietly, however, in the second game.

The Lady Cats tied Game 2 at one run apiece in the third inning and then went ahead 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning. Buford responded right away, however, with a three-run fifth to regain the lead. The Wolves went on to add an insurance run in the sixth inning to punch their ticket to Columbus.

Buford pitcher Kaitlyn Pickens (5 IP, 3R, 1ER, 7H, 0BB, 4K) picked up the second game win, but it was Hollifield (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 2K) again who entered to close out the final two frames.

Woodland’s Madi Bentley (photo, 6 IP, 6R, 5ER, 9H, 6BB, 2K) kept the Cats in the game, but suffered the loss.

Morgan Cooper, Skylar Chappell, and Duck all had two hits in the nightcap for Woodland. Caroline Higdon and Bella Carnes added one hit and one RBI apiece. Morgan Bailey also drove in a run.

Buford was paced offensively in the two games by Hannah Morgan and Shea Bayreuther. Those two Wolves combined for seven hits and 11 RBI on the night.

Woodland’s season comes to a close with a 24-9 record.