LAURINBURG — Richmond head softball coach Mike Way said the Lady Raiders played “a much better game” when they faced Scotland High School for the second time this spring in Wednesday’s regular-season finale.
Despite barreling the ball up and collecting eight hits against pitcher Sydnee Dial, the Lady Raiders fell to the Lady Scots 11-1 in five innings.
“We had much better at-bats tonight and squared the ball up quite a few times,” Way said. “Allyiah (Swiney) had a great night at the plate and there were three or four others who did their job that doesn’t necessarily show up in the box score.
“There were a couple plays here and there where it could have been a 4-1 game,” he added. “The result isn’t different, but we were really close to that being the case.”
Swiney collected a team-high three hits, including a leadoff triple to start the game, and later added a double. Senior Paige Ransom connected for two singles off Dial, while juniors Kenleigh Frye and Maylyn Wallce, along with freshman Katie Way, all had one hit.
Richmond’s run came in the top of the fifth inning when senior Payton Chappell reached on an error by Kinsley Sheppard at third base. Swiney, who was on third after a double and advancing on a Frye ground out, raced home to slide head first as the ball trickled down the left field line.
Senior Payton Chappell gets set at third base during the bottom of the first inning. (Kyle Pillar)
The Lady Raiders had several chances to score, but left eight runners on base. Swiney was stranded at third in the first, runners were left at second and third in the third and a ground out with the bases loaded ended the fifth.
“We are a young team that’s inexperienced in some key spots,” Way explained. “A program like ours with the spot we were in last year, it was a huge blow to us when we didn’t play last year. Our juniors lost their sophomore season and didn’t get the varsity experience.
“They were cast into being an upperclassmen and expected to play at this level, all without the experience,” he added. “There were a lot of positives to take from it, especially Quston (Leviner) pitching well tonight and all season as a sophomore.”
Leviner, who relieved starter Paige Ransom in the first, threw 3.2 innings. The right-hander struck out four Lady Scots and gave up six runs on seven hits, but only one run was earned.
Senior pitcher Kearston Bruce closed out the game, pitching one inning. It was her first appearance in the circle in a month after returning Monday from an ankle injury. Fellow senior Payton Chappell made a couple of nice plays on defense at third base.
Senior pitcher Paige Ransom delivers a pitch early in the game against Scotland on Wednesday. (Kyle Pillar)
“I told the seniors they can look at this as not the best way to end their careers, but I tried to remind them that 10 years from now it’ll be easier to remember the highs,” Way explained. “The good things will come to mind easier and that’s what I want them to take away from this season.”
Scotland scored four runs through the first three innings, but plated four runs in the fourth and three in the bottom of the fifth. Natalie Smith had two hits and three RBIs, while Raven Taylor and Kadence Sheppard added two RBIs each.
In 13 games played this season, Frye led the team with a .444 average, while sophomore Macy Steen (.300), Swiney (.364) and Ransom (.366) all hit at or above the .300 mark. Frye’s 20 hits led the team, as she and Steen tied for the team lead in doubles with five.
Swiney added 16 hits on the year, leading the team with four home runs. Ransom (15 hits) and Way (12 hits) both had two longballs, while Steen registered 12 hits including five doubles and a homer.
Hitting in the No. 3 hole, Chappell led the Lady Raiders with 12 RBIs this spring. Also reaching double digits with 11 runs batted in were Frye and Way. Swiney, Steen and Ransom were close behind with 9 RBIs apiece.
On the base paths, Frye and Swiney both snagged 10 bases and had a perfect stolen base percentage. Leviner’s five swiped bags were second on the roster.
Leviner earned three wins to head the pitching staff, as Bruce and Ransom tacked on two wins each. Bruce’s earned run average of 2.63 was the best on the team, and Leviner’s 38 punch outs were a program high.
Senior Kearston Bruce waits to react to a play at second base during the early innings of Richmond’s season finale. (Kyle Pillar)
“It was a big accomplishment for us to get the girls to come together and work toward a common goal,” Way noted. “Nights like this help us in that front, and the good nights obviously point us in the right direction.
“We will improve and I want us to continue to be the Richmond Raiders,” he closed. “I want us to walk out on the field and for everyone to know this is Richmond Raider softball and this is the way we play. The talent will show in the game and people will be able to see it.”
With the loss, the Lady Raiders’ regular season comes to an end with a 7-6 overall record and a 6-6 mark against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents. Richmond finished fifth in the standings.
Projected as one of the first 10 teams out of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs, Richmond awaits the release of the postseason brackets on Saturday. The Richmond Observer will post any updates regarding the postseason as they become available.
JV Lady Raiders also close season with loss at Scotland
Playing ahead of the varsity team’s finale, head coach Jordan Fortune and the Richmond junior varsity softball team lost to Scotland 8-5.
Fortune cited a slow start at the plate as the reason why the Lady Raiders couldn’t beat their rivals.
Scotland took a 2-1 lead after the first inning, and freshman Addy Hollingsworth scored Richmond’s first run on a passed ball after she led off with a walk.
In the top of the second, fellow freshman Christi Jacobs teed up a pitch and went yard, adding a run with her solo blast. Fortune said “inning got away from us” when the Lady Scots plated five runs in the bottom half and another in the fourth to take a 8-2 lead.
The JV Lady Raiders started to pick up some momentum in the top of the fifth. Hollingsworth reached on an error and sophomore Chaslie Holden had a bunt single. Hollingsworth stole third and came home when sophomore Sydney Smith grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Continuing the rally, freshman Ryelan Lyerly laid down a bunt and was safe at first following a throwing error. Before the end of the inning, Holden and Smith would both score and Lyerly moved to third with one out.
But back-to-back strikeouts ended the rally and the game, which was called after five innings due to the time limit.
“We worked hard this season and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come,” Fortune said. “There’s a lot of talent on this JV team. We learned a lot and found ways to win when we were behind.”
The JV Lady Raiders finished the season 5-2-1. Game details were provided by JV head coach Jordan Fortune.
