Monacan scored three runs in the third inning yesterday, propelling the Chiefs to a 4-0 victory over James River in the Dominion District.

Brianna Bertovich led off the inning with a triple. Jordan Beadles and Mandy Hopkins followed with RBI doubles, and Kelly Gibson drove in Hopkins with a single.

Chiefs sophomore Megan Williams pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts, giving up only three hits.

Standing in the circle with the same grubby kneepads she's been wearing since she started playing softball at 10 years old, Williams looked even stronger as the game went on. Catcher Lauren Gooden directed the game.

"She calls all the games by herself," Williams said. "So every strikeout that I get goes to her."

Most of the Rapids' offensive action stayed in the infield. But that's typical of the Chiefs' season.

"I'm pretty sure I've gotten about, probably about three balls all season," said Beadles, the center fielder. "I don't mind at all. I like it. I'm glad that we have a really strong infield, and outfield is just there to back up. And when a ball does come out, we can make the play and see what happens."

Beadles' RBI double drove in Tori Linville to give the Chiefs (8-1 Dominion, 11-2) a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Monacan coach Billy Lewis hopes his team will be able to continue its winning streak and contend for a Dominion District title. After losing some players from last season, the Chiefs had to shuffle their infield earlier this year. Bertovich found herself playing third base for the first time.

"But we found the spots that fit," she said.

Monacan will face Cosby and Midlothian in the upcoming weeks to try to resolve the district title.

James River (3-6, 4-9) is fighting for a spot in the playoffs.

"It's been a bit disappointing so far, but we're still in the hunt for that fourth-place playoff berth," coach Rich Johann said.

Yesterday was just the second game the Rapids have hosted this year, but they'll finish on a homestand - hoping it will provide a little lift into the postseason.

The Chiefs passed out yellow, softball-colored cupcakes as they packed their bags. Prom is this weekend and the girls have a tradition. They have to get one postgame picture - the dirtier their uniforms are, the better. Just before prom, they meet for another picture, the one Beadles called the "dress-up picture."

"We clean up well, is how we put it," she said.

Leaving James River on a five-game winning streak, and with just 10 runs allowed in 13 games, Monacan already is looking pretty polished.

Monacan ------------------------- 103 000 0 - 4 7 0
James River ------------------------- 000 000 0 - 0 3 2

Williams and Gooden; Carter, Powell (6) and Tuck. W: Williams. L: Carter.