Class A: Buffalo 3-peats behind Burdette

VIENNA, W.Va. — Ali Burdette launched a first-inning, opposite-field homer and then scattered nine hits in an unusual shutout as Buffalo downed Moorefield 1-0 Thursday to three-peat as Class A softball state champs.

Buffalo (34-4) scored a total of only three runs in its three state tournament games. But that was plenty considering the Bison allowed none, winning each contest by a score of 1-0, including Wednesday’s first win over Moorefield (26-5).

“Three runs to win a state championship?” pondered Buffalo coach Darrell Moore. “Has that ever happened before? I don’t think so.

“But when it comes to winning a state championship, whether it’s 10-0 or 1-0, I love it.”

Watch video highlights and postgame reaction here.

Buffalo won state titles in 2002 and 2004 before its latest run of three consecutive. The Bison, with no seniors in the starting lineup, are early favorites to make it four straight next season.

“Even though we win numerous state championships, every single one’s big,” said Burdette, a sophomore.

“Three runs to win a state championship? Has that ever happened before? I don’t think so.” — Buffalo coach Darrell Moore after his Bison won three straight games by 1-0 scores

Burdette said she had been struggling at the plate and pulling off outside pitches. So in her first at-bat Thursday, she took Taylor Zuber’s offering over the right-field fence.

“It was a down-the-middle pitch and I just drove it,” Burdette said. “That’s my first one to the opposite field.”

Said Moore: “If not for that home run, we’d still be playing. Moorefield is that good.”

That was all the offense Buffalo needed to win its 21st consecutive game. Burdette used eight strikeouts to keep Moorefield at bay, though she struggled with baserunners in almost every inning.

“The nerves got to her a little bit and she was having trouble breathing,” Moore joked. “So, I said ‘Ali, this is a ballgame. Come on and let’s just have some fun.”

Buffalo left fielder Katie Higginbotham preserved the slim lead in the top of the third, making a pinpoint throw home to nab Moorefield’s Ashley Rexrode after Beth Riggleman singled into the gap.

In the fourth, Burdette diffused a second-and-third jam by fielding a comebacker and pump-faking toward first base. The move worked, as Burdette whirled and caught Moorefield’s Katelynn Wills straying off third.

Burdette punctuated her complete game with more clutch pitching in the seventh. Moorefield put the potential tying and go-ahead runs aboard only to see Burdette strike out the final two hitters swinging.

“I told our girls ‘Buffalo was not beating us 1-0 again today.’ I never thought that would happen, but oh well, that’s the way it goes sometimes.” — Moorefield softball coach Tammie Ayers

Moorefield’s Zuber performed brilliantly in her own right, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out five.

“(Zuber) pitched an awesome game, and we played awesome defense,” said Moorefield coach Tammie Ayers. “I told our girls ‘Buffalo was not beating us 1-0 again today.’ I never thought that would happen, but oh well, that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Earlier Thursday in an elimination game, Moorefield edged Wheeling Central 7-6 on Brooke Riggleman’s walkoff double in the bottom of the seventh.

Allie Cook went 4-for-4 in a losing effort.





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