Buckingham County High School’s varsity baseball team fell in difficult back-to-back games this week against district co-leader Goochland High School, but the latter half of April was defined by a notable turnaround for the Knights.

After starting the season 0-6 overall across six James River District games, Buckingham put together three consecutive district wins, plus a fourth due to forfeit.

“We have finally started to come together and play team baseball,” Knights Head Coach Trey Lawson said. “We have also been hitting well of late and utilizing our team speed on the bases. Our starting pitchers have given us quality outings on the mound.”

Buckingham defeated would-be visitor Prince Edward County High School on April 27 because the Eagles forfeited.

On April 25, the Knights edged host Nottoway High School 8-7.

“We hit the ball really well and played great team baseball,” Lawson said. “The team was able to keep fighting after we let Nottoway back in the game after being up 6-2. Our guys played hard and showed the resiliency that I knew they were capable of.”

This game also demonstrated what the coach was talking about in terms of strong play on the mound.

“Peyton Taylor pitched a great game, throwing seven strong innings — (with) five strikeouts — and James DeVore came (on) in the eighth and was able to get us out of it with a win,” Lawson said.

On offense, junior Walter Edwards went 4-for-5, leading a group of four players to have multiple hits. Finishing with two hits apiece were junior Nathan Brickhill, sophomore Amari Toney and junior Jalen Chambers.

Buckingham had 12 hits for the game.

The Knights opened that week with a 9-4 home victory over Central Lunenburg High School on April 23.

“Our bats were on fire this game as we were able to get 13 hits as a team,” Lawson said. “We came out strong and played to our potential.”

Buckingham benefited from a complete-game performance from junior Brayden Edwards on the mound, where he struck out six batters.

Offensively, Brickhill went 3-for-3 with a triple, a double and a single and two RBIs. Finishing with two hits each were Edwards, junior Alex Taylor and junior Trevor Kelly.

On April 16, the Knights earned their first win of the season, defeating host Prince Edward 6-5.

On Monday, Buckingham lost narrowly to host Goochland, 4-2, but struggled the next day at home against the Bulldogs, falling 11-1.

The Knights (4-10) enter next week with four games left on their regular season schedule.

“I want us to keep fighting and finish the year strong,” Lawson said. “This group has just started to realize the potential that I knew they had all along. I’m hoping that we can turn some heads the last few weeks of the season. Assistant Coach (Chris) Baird and I have told them that if their bats stay hot and we can get some quality outings from our starting pitchers like we have been, then we have an opportunity to be in every game that we play.”

Similar to the two-games-in-two-days schedule that Buckingham played when facing Goochland this week, the Knights will host improved Cumberland County High School on Monday and then visit the Dukes on Tuesday. Both games are set for 5 p.m.

Buckingham will host Bluestone High School on Thursday, May 9, and then cap off the regular season May 15 at Randolph-Henry High School.