ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior High School junior varsity baseball team wrapped up another three-game week, earning two more victories on the season.
JV Raiders mercy-rule Union Pines
Richmond and head coach Ralph Butler opened the week with a 14-4 mercy-rule win over Union Pines High School in six innings. Freshman Caleb Talton got the start on the hill, pitching four innings without giving up any earned runs.
Sophomore Michael Pettitt replaced him in the fifth to close the final two innings, and was credited with the win. The Raiders recorded 10 combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings to end the game early.
Sophomore Trevor Johnson was 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored, while fellow sophomore Tremel Jones went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Richmond splits with SAC opponent Hoke County
The Raiders returned to Sandhills Athletic Conference play Thursday by traveling to Hoke County High School and losing the opening game 4-3. Freshman Harley Honeycutt started on the mound, and put together over six quality innings until he reached his pitch count limit in the seventh.
Butler noted Honeycutt “pitched well enough to win, but we just couldn’t get him enough run support.” The Raiders loaded the bases in the second inning, but were unable to score.
Sophomore Tony Gathings was the team’s leading hitter, going 2-for-2 with a triple and a run scored. He exited the game during his third at-bat, taking a foul ball to the the eye. Butler said it’s a “big loss” to the team, but noted the CT was negative and he “should return soon.”
To close out the week, the Raiders hosted the Bucks and edged them in a 2-0 ball game. Freshman JD Lampley made his second start of the season, and collected his third win behind a complete game shutout.
Against Northwest Guilford High School last Saturday, he also threw a complete game shutout. Following his performance on the mound against the Bucks, Lampley’s scoreless streak was extended to 12-straight innings.
The game saw little offense from both teams, but Johnson, and freshmen Cameron Way and Colin Wheeler recorded singles in the win. Johnson’s hit scored a run on a throwing error to third base.
Lampley helped his cause with an RBI single late in the game to make it 2-0.
“The pitching continues to be really good,” Butler said. “JD was outstanding. He hit his spots with his fastball and got his curveball over for a strike all evening to keep (Hoke County) completely off balance.
“We face Lumberton (High School) next, who has yet to drop a conference game,” he concluded.
The Raiders (9-3) will host the Pirates Tuesday, before traveling to Lumberton on Friday. Both games will begin at 5 p.m.
