By Liz Keller / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
PALMYRA — Buckingham’s softball team may have had trouble scoring runs last season, but if Saturday’s performance against Fluvanna County is any indication, the Knights have nothing to worry about this spring.
Buckingham exploded for seven runs in the third inning and rode the arm of Libby Morris en route to a 12-0 victory over the Flucos in a game that was shortened due to the 10-run rule.
Morris, who will head to Longwood next year to play softball, tossed a gem, allowing just one hit in five innings. The senior right-hander struck out 11 batters in the win.
Fluvanna threatened only once in the contest as Amber Dillow had a base hit to right field, then Brooke Herndon reached base on a error. The Flucos appeared poised to do some damage as Olivia Noraas drew a walk to load the bases with one out.
However, Morris settled down and struck out the next two batters to get out of the first inning safely.
“She was leaving the ball up in the first inning, but after that I thought she threw the ball real well,” Buckingham coach Larry Morris said. “It gives you an advantage when you’ve got a pitcher like her. To have somebody who can get you out of a jam like that is important, particularly with young people.”
The Knights scored two runs in the second and continued to build on that lead with a seven-run third inning. Morris had a stellar day at the plate as well, as she got things started with a double to left field. Savannah Gough doubled to the same spot to send two runs across the plate. Gough later scored on a RBI single from Morgan Huddleston. Buckingham batted around the order and a three-run double from Morris gave the visitors a 9-0 advantage.
Fluvanna was forced to juggle its starting lineup because of a mishap prior to the game, and Herndon was shifted from catcher to pitcher. She was replaced in the third inning by Alex Fields.
“We started off rough today because we had an accident before the game started and it just threw everybody off,” Fluvanna first-year coach Aime McCall said. “We had to start with someone who does not usually pitch and wasn’t used to pitching. But they’re hustling everywhere they’re supposed to be, they do what they’re asked to do and I think they’re going to be fine.”
Buckingham added three more runs in the fifth, as Morris continued her solid performance with a two-run double to right-center field. Other highlights included Chelse Shumaker (2 for 4), who had an RBI double. Eileen Lee also finished with a pair of singles.
“She needs to hit well for us to be successful,” Morris said of Libby. “This is a different team than last year’s team; last year we were older and slower. This team is much quicker. If we score three runs we ought to be able to win a lot of ballgames. We did that in this game, hopefully we’ll be fortunate in the next game.”
Buckingham is scheduled to play host to Prince Edward on Tuesday.
