A dominate performance in the circle propelled the Lone Tree softball team past the first round of the class 1A regionals on Monday when the Lions shut out Iowa Valley 5-0 at home. 

The Tigers stood no chance against a rested Abby Buckman, as the Lion senior tossed a complete game no-hitter with just one walk given up and striking out 16 batters. Buckman made her first start in seven days and head coach Tom Dickey tells KCII Sports the rest paid off.

“I felt like resting her was the best thing to do and she was dominate last night. She was one baserunner away from a perfect game and I thought she had total control in the circle. I could really see the rest paying off for her because she got stronger as the game went on.”

The offense scratched across runs in the third, fourth, and fifth including RBI sac flies from Buckman and Sara Branson that proved to be more than enough.

The Lions improve to 5-9 on the season and they gear up for the area quarterfinal matchup tonight in Riverside against Highland. The Huskies are 9-6 and advanced after taking care of business against Hillcrest Academy in a 13-1 final. Highland won the only regular season meeting between these two squads in a 9-5 score back on June 16th.