The Dillon Wildcats suffered a heartbreaker loss on Monday, May 16,  to Buford 3-0 in game one of a 3-game series that was held in Dillon.
Game 2 was played in Buford at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18.
The Buford Lady Jackets’ Sydney Sullivan pitched a one-hitter, walked one, and struck out nine in the win.
Although Tori Grimsley allowed only three hits, she suffered the loss due to defensive mistakes. Tori struck out 4 and walked 1 while allowing 3 earned runs in the game.
The two teams played a good game.
Dillon’s only hit was a single that Marissa Tyndall attempted to stretch into a double in the fourth inning when she was tagged out heading to second base.  That hit was the first of the game by either team.
Dillon and Buford both made some good defensive plays as evidenced in the first inning when Dillon’s rightfielder, Emilee Price made a diving catch to stop what should have been a hit.
In the top of the fourth inning, Grimsley got out of the inning with a run-down of Buford’s #2 Hunter Allen between third and home to prevent a run. Buford’s third baseman made a good defensive play on a ball hit by Marissa Tyndall on the line over third for one out and quickly threw to second to double the runner before the runner could return to the base.
In the top of the sixth inning Buford’s #10 Lexie Sullivan hit one to left for a lead-off single as she captured her team’s first hit of the game. #8 Taylor for Buford sacrificed a bunt to third to move the runner to second. Hunter Allen picked up a single on a bunt that Dillon’s catcher, Ashley Phillips, and Dillon’s third baseman, Taylor Blackmon, collided while attempting to field the ball. Buford had runners on first and second.
#7 Kristin Wemes for Buford hit one to Dillon’s pitcher, Tori Grimsley, who was going to throw to second but no one was there to cover the base.  
The bases were loaded for Buford’s pitcher, Sydney Sullivan who hit a grounder to first and was out at first but the first run of the game scored. Cassidy Solomon hit a grounder to Dillon’s third baseman, Taylor Blackmon, who bobbled the ball and made a bad throw to first as the runner was safe at first and 2 runs scored to make it Buford 3 and Dillon 0.
After Buford took the lead, six Dillon hitters were retired, two by strike-outs, to end the game.
Dillon is 21-6 while Buford is 23-4 for the season.
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The Dillon Lady Wildcats defeated Buford Lady Jackets 5-3 in game 2 of the Class 2-A state championship at Lancaster to even the series at 1 game apiece and force game 3 to be played on Friday, May 20, at a neutral site.
The Lady Wildcats managed to tie the score in the seventh inning at 3-3.
With 2 outs in the ninth, Tori Grimsley was on second and Skylar McCoy hit 1 to centerfield that bounced off the glove and over the fence for a 2-run homer to give Dillon a 5-3 lead.
The Lady Wildcats defense held Buford scoreless in the bottom of the ninth.
Marissa Tyndall who came in relief for Tori Grimsley picked up the win for Dillon as she pitched 3 2/3 innings.
Buford is 22-5 while Dillon is 22-7 on the season.
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The Lady Wildcats lost the most important game of the season to them on Friday, May 20, at South Florence in a closely contested 2-1 to Buford, the new state 2A softball champions.
The Yellow Jackets went up 1-0 in the top of the second inning when #4 Cassidy Solomon hit one to left for a lead-off double. #23 Buford was substituted a courtesy runner. #00 Sydney Sullivan attempted a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third which happened.  
However, she was also safe at first as the throw pulled Brittany Miller, Dillon’s first baseman off the bag. Runners were at the corners for Buford. #12 Buford hit one between first and second for a single and 2 rbi to take the lead and never trailed in the game.
In the bottom of the second inning Dillon stranded runners on first and second base as Brittany Miller singled to right and Johnna Rogers walked.
Ashley Phillips hit one to center for a lead-off single in the bottom of the fifth inning. Johnna Rogers hit a fielder’s choice grounder and arrived safely at first as the runner was out at second. Skylar McCoy walked, and runners were on first and second.
Taylor Blackmon connected for a single to centerfield and a rbi leaving runners on the corner. Taylor Blackmon stole second. A’Doshia Graves garnered a walk, and the bases were loaded. However, Dillon was unable to get a run across.
After 5 innings of play Buford led 2-1.
#9 Buford hit one up the middle for a single in the top of the sixth.
Dillon’s Taylor Blackmon picked up a single to left in the bottom of the seventh with 2 outs.
Buford’s pitcher, Sydney Sullivan, allowed five hits, walked three, and struck out nine while Dillon’s pitcher, Tori Grimsley allowed five hits, walked only one, and struck out one.
Both of these teams played a brilliant 3-game state championship series.
The game ended with the Buford Yellow Jackets as 2A state champions.
Buford ended with a record of 23-5 while Dillon ended with a record of 22-8.

GAME THREE PHOTOS
PHOTO BY JOHNNIE DANIELS/THE DILLON HERALD
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