HOSCHTON — Buford senior Nate Taylor stifled Mill Creek’s hitters Monday in a 9-1 victory in Region 8-AAAAAAA basebal.

It was the opener of a three-game series this week between the Wolves (10-4, 4-0 region) and Mill Creek (8-5, 3-1). Buford, now alone in first atop the region, hosts Game 2 Wednesday at 5:55 p.m.

Taylor (4-1) gave up just one unearned run and two hits over 6 2/3 innings. The Georgia Bulldogs recruit struck out a season-high 13 and walked one.

The Wolves took control early with a four-run first inning highlighted by Ethan Murray’s two-run single. Taylor’s two-out double made it 5-0 in the second inning, and in the fourth inning Madden Young’s two-out hit drove in Luke Hopper for a 6-0 lead.

Each team got a run in the fourth inning before Buford tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Ayden Lockett recorded the final out of the seventh on a strikeout after Taylor reached his pitch count and was removed from the game.

Taylor also was Buford’s top hitter, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Young was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, Murray was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run, Blake Russell was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a sacrifice fly and Cameron Wood was 1-for-3 with two runs.

Mill Creek, hindered by four errors, got its hits from Will Myhand (1-for-3, run) and Dylan Armstrong (1-for-2, walk).

Luke Pierce pitched 6 2/3 innings for the Hawks, giving up nine runs (six earned runs) on 11 hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Gavin Dempsey struck out the only batter he faced to get Mill Creek out of the seventh inning.