ROCKINGHAM — The final week of summer baseball kicked off with a win for the Richmond Renegades on Monday.
Facing Scotland for the fourth time this season, the Renegades used a break-out fourth inning to earn a 9-2 win.
A three-pitcher effort by Richmond limited Scotland to just three hits and the Scots scored both of their runs in the top of the fourth inning.
Ethan Locklear started on the hill and didn’t allow any hits or runs through the first two innings. He added three strikeouts.
Allen Taylor also threw two innings, gave up two runs on two hits and struck out two batters.
Closing the door in the final three innings was Landon Taylor, who put up a zero in the run column, allowed just one hit and sat five batters down via the punchout.
A 1-2-3 top of the first by Locklear allowed Richmond to take a 1-0 lead in the home half. With two outs, Ethan Clayton (single) scored on a passed ball.
Scotland took its only lead of the game, 2-1, to start the fourth. An RBI single and an RBI triple in consecutive at-bats with two outs got the Scots on the board.
Helping put the Renegades back ahead with a five-run home half, Clayton led off the inning with a walk and scored two batters later when Isaac Hinshaw laced an RBI single to left field.
Jullian Cline broke the tie and recorded two of his team-high three RBIs three batters later with a fly ball single to left field. Scoring on the two-RBI base hit were Hinshaw and Mason Murray (walk).
Passing the bat and joining the hit parade were Zavier Lowry and Zane Searcy, who both collected an RBI single to left field in the inning. Crossing the plate were Landon Taylor (fielder’s choice) and Cline.
Clayton added to Richmond’s lead with a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, finding the gap in left field. Scoring were Cain Hunsucker (error) and Ashton Phifer (walk) to make it 8-2.
Landon Taylor struck out the side in order in the sixth, and the Renegades scored their final run on a Cline groundout to short. Racing home on the play was Murray, who led off the inning with a double.
Another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh by Landon Taylor ended the game. He induced two groundouts and recorded his final K of the game.
Clayton and Cline combined for three hits and five RBIs in the win, with Searcy also adding two hits and an RBI.
A four-game week for the Renegades (6-2) continues on Tuesday with a road game at Southern Lee High School. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
