Unbeaten Buford ‘hungry’ for redemption after 2024 loss in state title game
The Buford softball team may need to achieve perfection to obtain the redemption it has been seeking for the last year.
Buford is 32-0 and needs four more victories to complete the second undefeated season and 13th state championship in program history. It may be necessary to eradicate the distaste that still exists from losing in the Class 6A championship game a year ago.
Last fall, the Wolves were beaten in the title game by East Coweta. It was a gut punch for a program that had won two consecutive titles, and the setback immediately became a rallying point for the 2025 season.
“We met back in November, and we had a long talk about it,” Buford coach Trent Adams said. “And, you know, they’ve been hungry, ready to get back down there and have a chance. The first thing we had to do is get an opportunity, and now we’ve got to make the most of it.”
The state fast-pitch softball tournament for all classifications will again be held at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus. The teams that reached the Elite Eight will play in double-elimination tournaments that begin Wednesday and conclude with all finals Saturday.
All defending champions qualified for the tournament: East Coweta in 6A, Creekview in 5A, Harris County in 4A, Heritage-Catoosa in 3A, Morgan County in 2A, Gordon Lee in Class A Division 1, Emanuel County Institute in Class A Division 2 and Wesleyan in Private. Wesleyan has won four consecutive state championships, and Heritage has won two in a row.
Buford is led by its four Division I signees on the roster — pitcher/first baseman Addie Rackley (LSU), pitcher Caroline Stanton (Florida), outfielder Summer Castorri (Georgia Tech) and third baseman Kadyn Gabrels (South Carolina).
“All four have been unbelievable and do a great job leading on the field, in the locker room and in the classroom,” Adams said. “They do a great job representing our program.”
Rackley and Stanton give Buford a one-two punch on the mound that few others can duplicate. Stanton is 11-0, and Adams said, “I feel like she throws even better when it’s a pressure situation.” Stanton also has seven homers. Rackley is 13-0 and has hit 15 homers. Buford finished the season by shutting out its final seven opponents.
The four seniors have helped keep the team grounded and focused toward the playoffs.
“They’ve been able to focus pretty good,” Adams said. “We talk a lot about it, how you can’t look at the bracket and start thinking, ‘If we win this and we win that’ or ‘if they lose.’ You can’t do that. The old saying ‘one game at a time’ is very true.”
Buford beat three of the defending state champions (Creekview, Gordon Lee and Wesleyan) during the regular season. The Wolves open the state tournament by facing North Cobb, a team they defeated 13-1 on Sept. 27.
“There’s eight teams left, and they’re all good,” Adams said. “They’re going to be competitive, and that’s the way it should be. There’s a lot of good programs out there with some softball history, for sure.”
About the Author
Stan Awtrey has been covering sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977. He currently writes about high school sports, Georgia State University athletics and golf.
