ROCKINGHAM — Making adjustments at the plate and on the mound was what junior varsity head coach Corey Wallace wanted to see following Thursday’s loss.
The JV Richmond Renegades responded with a 6-3 win over Scotland on Friday, making the necessary changes to earn the series win.
“We had to figure out what we did wrong on Thursday and make changes with our approach at the plate and adjustments on the mound,” Wallace said. “It was a tough win, we had to battle and scratch some runs across the board early.
“Situationally, we’re doing what we need to do,” he added. “That goes for bunts, base running and knowing where the ball needs to be hit.”
Scotland took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a ground ball out to shortstop.
Rising freshman Jason Walker started on the mound for Richmond, going three innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. He also struck out three batters.
The Renegades answered in the home half when rising sophomore Vance Goodwin grounded out to short, scoring fellow rising sophomore Tyler Graham (hit-by-pitch) from third.
A double play to end a two-on, one out threat in the top of the second gave way to a four-run bottom half for Richmond.
With one out and the bases loaded, rising freshman Sam Thompson drew a walk to score rising sophomore Davis Faw (hit-by-pitch).
On the next pitch, rising freshman Mason Murray ripped a two-RBI single to right field, bringing home Landon Taylor (single) and Walker (walk).
Two batters later, rising freshman Gray Maultsby reached on an error hit to second, allowing Thompson to score and make it a 5-1 lead.
Scotland got two runs back in the top of the third, the first coming on a fielder’s choice ground out.
An RBI single plated another run, but Murray threw out a second runner at the plate from left field with rising sophomore Cain Hunsucker applying the tag.
Both teams played scoreless baseball through the fourth and fifth innings, and rising freshman Riley Brown’s efforts on the mound for Richmond kept the lead intact. Brown threw three innings, allowed no runs on one hit and collected six punchouts.
Richmond’s final run came in the bottom of the sixth when Walker reached on an error, plating rising sophomore Zane Searcy (single).
Shutting the door on Scotland was rising sophomore pitcher Damon Bryant, who faced four batters in the seventh and struck out the side.
The Renegades only had three hits in the win, all singles, coming from Murray, Searcy and Taylor. Murray’s two RBIs led the team, while Goodwin and Thompson each had one.
“We have a lot of young guys out here who are rising eighth and ninth graders, and I think we have a pretty good team coming up,” Wallace said.
“There are going to be mistakes, but I’m already seeing the kids wanting to learn and become better players, which is good for the future.”
Richmond (2-1) will return to play Monday at home against Western Harnett for the first of a three-game series. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
