BUCKINGHAM – The Buckingham County High School softball team wasted little time gaining an early lead and holding it in a 13-0 victory over Cumberland High School on Tuesday afternoon at the BCHS Softball Field.

The Knights, who are pretty much cemented into the fifth spot for next week's James River District Tournament (beginning Monday at the still to be determined No. 4 seed) scored three runs in the first and five in the second, and went on to win in five innings.

“We played well today, and didn't allow them to hang around and gain any confidence,” said BCHS head coach Krissy Stearrett. “This win puts us in the 4-5 game in the tournament. We'll probably have to have a deep run in the district tournament and pull a few upsets to advance to the regionals, which I think we're capable of doing, but we've got to play confidently. I hope how we won will help us in that regard.”

The Knights (7-9, 5-8 JRD) gave up just one hit on the afternoon.

“It's frustrating,” said Cumberland head coach Travis Gilliam. “By this time in the season, you hope to have seen progression. It's a hard district to improve your standing, because it's full of very solid teams, and they're improving too, but it's still frustrating. I'm frustrated, and I know the girls are frustrated, because it's just not happening.”

Buckingham was led in hitting by Morgan Huddleston, who was 2-3 with a run scored and two RBI. Robyn Davis was 1-2 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Caitlyn Ragland was 1-1 with two runs scored and Svannah Gough was 0-1 with two walks, but scored all three times she reached base.

Cumberland's lone hit was by senior shortstop Kamren Gilliam.

“We have to find a way to get out of innings between now and next year,” said Travis Gilliam. “Buckingham did most of its damage with two outs.

“That's been a story for us all season. We can get the first two outs, but that third one is very difficult to get.”

For the Knights to extend their season, they'll most likely have to at least reach the JRD Tournament Championship game, which means they would have to beat two of the four JRD powers of Central, Goochland, Bluestone or Randolph-Henry.

“It will be difficult, but we've put ourselves in position to win in at least one of our games with all of those teams this year. Our biggest difficulty is that when one thing goes wrong, we try to overcompensate and force something. Sometimes, it's okay to trade a run for an out, if it will let you work the rest of the inning with empty bases.

“I appreciate that effort, and as a coach that's what I want to see, but sometimes, you have to take the out in front of you, instead of trying to force things.”