VIDALIA — Getting runners on base was not Vidalia High School’s problem Tuesday afternoon. Getting them home was another matter.

The Lady Vikings managed 10 hits, one walk and had two batters hit by pitches against No. 1-ranked Buckeye High School. They also had two players reach on errors. But Vidalia managed just two runs against starter MiKayla Brown in a 6-2 loss.

Head coach Gary Parnham Jr. said his girls played well, but their inability to drive in runs made a big difference.

“We had runners in scoring position several times — three times with runners on second and third and one time with bases loaded — and our inability to get a base hit and drive in a run was the difference on our side,” Parnham said.

“I don’t know if we’d have won the ball game, but it would have made it a lot closer.”

Brown got the win, going seven innings, striking out four batters. Vidalia starter Laura Perilloux took the loss, giving up six runs on nine hits and one walk. The Lady Vikings also committed three errors, two of which led to runs.

In the top of the second inning, the Lady Panthers (22-2) scored two runs when a double by Daris Hernandez sent home Lacie Nugent. Two batters later, Hannah Roberts singled in Hernandez, giving the Lady Panthers an early 2-0 lead.

Buckeye extended its lead in the top of the third inning when back-to-back errors by shortstop Katelynn Bertelsen and Perilloux put Lynsie Nugent and Jessica Johnson on base. Lacie Nugent then hit a sacrifice fly that scored Lynsie Nugent, and Hernandez followed it up with a double that scored Johnson. Destiny Dauzart singled in Hernandez, making it 5-0 Buckeye.

Vidalia finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. A single by Taylor Rogers sent home Emily Meyers and Kadesia Thomas, cutting Buckeye’s lead to 5-2.

Buckeye scored its final run of the game in the top of the sixth inning when a triple by Mandy Moses drove in a run.

Meyers finished 2-for-3 in the game for Vidalia, while Katlyn Thornton was 3-for-4.

Despite the loss, Parnham said his team actually stands to gain a little bit of ground in the LHSAA power point rankings, since the Lady Panthers are ranked No. 1 in Class 3A.

“You’re looking at a (22-win) team right there,” Parnham said. “We get points for all of their wins, so I don’t see us dropping too far by losing to them. We’ll just have to see where it comes out (today).”

Parnham also said playing top-tier teams can only help his girls improve.

“I think we played a little bit to their level today, and that helps us out,” Parnham said. “Playing good teams only makes you better. If you can step up and get to that level, you can do it.”

Vidalia rose to 15-13 on the season, 2-8 in district play.