Softball: Lady Wolves move two wins from 8th straight, Dawson goes 1-1

COLUMBUS -- The Buford softball team's run at an eighth straight state title got off to a strong start on Thursday in Columbus, as the Lady Wolves defeated Wayne County and Walnut Grove in Class AAAA play.<br /> <br /> The victories moved Buford within two more wins of a title. The Lady Wolves can reach the championship game with a win over Thomas County Central at 7 p.m. Friday.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Dawson County opened its first ever run in Columbus with a victory but dropped Game 2 to fall into the loser's bracket. The Lady Tigers will face the winner of the Westminster-Central, Carroll contest at 3 p.m. Friday. Dawson County faces three contests to reach the championship contest on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The Lady Tigers edged out Pierce County 5-4 to start the day, but Ringgold stormed to an 11-1 win in Dawson's second contest.<br /> <br /> Buford, meanwhile, had little trouble on Thursday, smacking Wayne County 7-1 to start the day before blanking Walnut Grove 3-0 in the second contest.