Katie Way: The Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week

ROCKINGHAM — Making a couple of trips around the bases, junior softball player Katie Way has been named the Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.

Richmond split a pair of games with Scotland and Southern Lee high schools last week, and it was Way’s production at the plate that provided a lot of the offense.

Earning her first career recognition, Way led the team in several offensive categories against the Lady Scots and Lady Cavaliers.

Athletic Profile

Year: Junior

Spring Sport: Softball

Position: Shortstop

Years on Varsity: 3 years

Other Sports: Volleyball

“BOMBS AWAY” WITH KATIE WAY

The Lady Raiders suffered their first loss in Sandhills Athletic Conference play last Tuesday, but rebounded with a big win over Southern Lee on Friday.

Despite falling to Scotland, Way provided all of Richmond’s scoring in the 12-2 loss. Going 1-for-2 in the game, her hit was a two-run shot to right-center field in the bottom of the third inning to cut the team’s deficit to 3-2.

Three nights later, the Lady Raiders responded with a 14-7 victory over Southern Lee. Way had a game-high 4 RBIs and also scored 4 runs to go along with her 2-for-3 performance.

Getting hit by a pitch twice, Way stole a base and made two athletic catches at shortstop.

Way’s first RBI came when she was plunked by Albani Hooker with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, and later scored on a Ryelan Lyerly double.

Leading 8-1 in the third, Way was hit again by a pitch and scored her second run by stealing home as part of a double steal.

Way added a single in the bottom of the fourth and scored thanks to another Lyerly double. Putting the game away in the sixth, Way barreled up a two-out, three-run blast to left-center field to extend the lead to 14-7.

Starting all 11 games this season for the Lady Raiders, Way leads the team in batting average (.464), on-base percentage (.634), on-base plus slugging percentage (1.527) and runs scored (21). She’s tied for first in homers (4), is third in RBIs (12) and fourth in hits (13).

Richmond (9-2, 6-1 SAC), which is in second the SAC standings, will host Pinecrest High School (3-8, 1-5 SAC) on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH KATIE WAY

Way breaks down her big week at the plate, shares how she and the team have grown though the first half of the season, talks about what it’s like to be coached by her dad and says which of her siblings she believes is the best athlete.

The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week soon.