RICHMOND COUNTY — The Richmond County middle school baseball and softball seasons are nearing the ends of their regular seasons, as several teams picked up crucial Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference wins on Monday.
Hamlet sweeps Cordova at home
The Hamlet Middle School baseball and softball teams both took care of business against visiting Cordova Middle School. The Red Rams rolled to an 18-2 win in three innings over the Cavaliers, while the Lady Red Rams blanked the Lady Cavs 15-0 in three innings.
On the hill for the baseball team was Alan Taylor, who pitched a complete game for the win. The Red Rams offense spread out 10 hits on the afternoon, with Cain Hunsucker and Noah Williams leading the team with two hits apiece.
Also collecting base knocks were Taylor, Tyler Graham, Jason Walker, Timothy Crowder, Jacoby Martin and JV Drake. Ethan Locklear hit a two-RBI triple to end the game. The win moved the Red Rams to 7-2 on the season and into third place in the conference standings.
In softball action, eighth grader Quston Leviner threw a three-inning no-hitter against Cordova. She struck out nine batters in the process. At the plate, Leviner was 2-for-2.
Other Lady Red Rams to collect a hit were Ryelan Lyerly, Jakayla Steele, Addy Hollingsworth and Mandy Pearson.
With the win, paired with Rockingham’s loss to Anson Middle School, the Lady Red Rams are in a three-way tie for second place with Rockingham and Anson.
Note: No individual stats were provided for Cordova. Hamlet stats provided by Deon Cranford and Mica Way.
Rockingham splits on the road at Anson
The Rockingham Middle School baseball team rolled to a 12-0 win over Anson Middle School Orange in five innings. Cameron Seagraves added another win to his season total with a complete game shutout over the Bearcats. He struck out eight batters.
Seagraves helped his cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a team-high two hits. Also collecting a hit in their two at-bats were James Eason, Ethan Clayton and Damon Bryant. Walker Lambeth and Zane Searcy both went 1-for-1 at the dish.
Head coach Jamie McDonald noted Clayton had a “great day behind the plate,” catching two would-be base stealers on their way to second.
The Rockets finished the regular season 8-1 and second place in the SEMSAC standings. They will not make up a rain out against East Hoke Middle School, and will receive a first-round bye in the playoffs.
In softball, the Lady Rockets suffered just their second loss of the season, a 16-3 defeat to the Lady Bearcats in five innings. Sydney Smith started the game in the circle and lasted just an inning and a half, collecting three strikeouts.
Pitching in relief was Savanna Mullins, who went the remainder of the game, punching out seven batters on strikes.
Carolina Gonzalez was the team’s leading hitter, going 1-for-2 with a two-RBI double. Smith and Molly Erwin were both 1-for-1, and Mackenzie Norris recorded a single and walk. Ashton Alexander had one hit in her three at-bats.
With the loss, coupled with Hamlet’s win, the Lady Rockets are in a three-way tie for second place with Hamlet and Anson.
Stats provided by Morgan Davis and Jamie McDonald.
