Buford is rolling into Columbus. The Gwinnett County, Atlanta-metro power takes a 26-3 record into the GHSA Class 7A Elite Eight after sweeping its first two playoff rounds and outscoring opponents 58-2 across four postseason games, three of them shutouts. The only runs Buford has allowed all postseason came in a single game, the 10-2 second-round opener against Seckinger.

The Wolves opened with 17-0 and 16-0 wins over Rockdale County, then beat Seckinger 10-2 and 15-0 to clinch their return to Columbus. LG Goldin hit her 10th home run of the season in the second-round opener, Ella Pierce Hensley added her eighth homer, and Ansley Kehren and Taylor Sawyer each drove in three runs in the clincher. Taylor Jackson earned both pitching victories against Seckinger to improve to 11-2. Buford scored at least 10 runs in every one of the four games.

Buford opens the double-elimination Elite Eight against Richmond Hill on Wednesday, October 28, at 3:30 p.m. on Field 5 at the South Commons Softball Complex, with the tournament running October 28-31. Richmond Hill, the Region 1-7A champion, is back in Columbus for the second straight season after sweeping Etowah and outlasting Dacula in three games, clinching that series 4-2 behind Delaney McDonald’s two-run home run.

Wednesday’s winner advances to face North Paulding or Northgate on Thursday, October 29, at 2:45 p.m. on Field 3, while the losing teams meet Thursday at 7:15 p.m. on Field 5 in an elimination game. Buford’s path to a state title starts with a Richmond Hill team that has already survived one three-game series this postseason.

The Columbus finals cap a Georgia season that began August 1, with state champions crowned October 28-31 at South Commons across the GHSA’s seven public divisions, 1A through 7A, and one private division. Buford will try to turn the bracket’s most dominant start into the last trophy of the Georgia season.