ROCKINGHAM — Putting on a solid performance during a spring break tournament, senior baseball player Ethan Locklear has been named the Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
Providing offense at the plate, as well as earning a win on the mound, Locklear and the Raiders finished with a 1-2 record in the Terry Sanford Easter Invitational.
The two-year varsity starter, who is pitching for the first season at the varsity level, earned his first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Year: Senior
Spring Sport: Baseball
Position: Pitcher/Centerfield
Years on Varsity: 2 years
“ON THE DIAMOND” WITH ETHAN LOCKLEAR
The only Richmond team to play multiple games over spring break, the Raiders didn’t repeat as the Easter Invitational champs this year. But Locklear’s efforts in the first game helped the Raiders pick up their lone win.
Starting against Wayne Country Day School, Locklear pitched a gem and held on long enough to get run support to earn the win. He threw 6.1 innings against the Chargers before reaching the pitch count.
Locklear allowed five earned runs on six hits and struck out seven batters. He also stranded five runners on base. He retired the Chargers in order in the first, worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third, faced just four batters in the fourth and sat Wayne Country Day down in order again in the sixth.
The Raiders earned a 6-5 win to advance in the tournament, outscoring the Chargers 5-1 over the last couple of innings.
During the tournament’s three games, Locklear batted .250. In the win, he went 1-for-2 with a single and a base on balls.
Locklear’s biggest contribution at the plate was a three-RBI double in an 8-6 loss to East Bladen in the second round. Scoring later in the top of the second, Locklear helped Richmond take a 4-0 lead at the time.
Following a 1-0 loss to Midway in the final game, Locklear was the only Raider named to the All-Tournament team.
In 16 games this season, Locklear has started five games and made nine appearances on the mound. He’s got a 1-1 record with a save, along with 32 strikeouts and a 3.13 earned run average in 22.1 innings pitched.
Offensively, he’s batted .132 with five hits, eight walks and 11 runs scored. His on-base percentage is .312.
Richmond (11-7) welcomes non-conference Freedom Christian Academy (10-9) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the first of three games this week.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH ETHAN LOCKLEAR
Locklear discusses his pitching and hitting performance over spring break, talks about embracing his new role as a pitcher this season and shares his plans for after high school.
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Student-Athletes of the Week next week.
