The Buckingham Debs softball team jumped out to an early lead on Monday evening but could not keep Lunenburg County in check, ultimately falling 16-8. The loss eliminated Buckingham from further competition in the Dixie Softball Debs State Tournament in Kenbridge.

“I think we could have done a little bit better, but hey, I’m proud of them because they’ve been working hard all year for me,” Buckingham Manager Chris Gough said of his girls.

They finished with a 1-2 record in the state tournament.

After opening a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning and keeping Lunenburg from tying, Buckingham made it 6-3 in the second inning. But Lunenburg put together four runs in the third, taking a lead that it never gave up.

Despite the loss, the Buckingham girls made routine contact with the ball to reach base. Several players had multi-hit games, led by Olivia Sims, Quen Williams, Sierra Wharam and Amber Wilkerson, each of whom had three hits.

On Friday, Buckingham produced a 7-6 comeback victory over Crewe-Burkeville to start off its play in the state tourney.

Prior to facing Lunenburg on Monday, Buckingham battled Blackstone on Sunday evening, narrowly losing 11-8. Gough said he thought this was his team’s best-played game in the tournament.

Williams hit a grand slam against Blackstone, while Wharam added a solo home run.

Gough expressed confidence in his team of girls and what they will be capable of in the future.

“If we get them all back next year, I think we’ll be good,” he said, adding that each of his players has a year left of eligibility in the Debs division.