Home Local Sports Lady Raiders return to win column, mercy-rule Union Pines

Lady Raiders return to win column, mercy-rule Union Pines

Senior Allyiah Swiney stomps on home plate following her leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning.
Kyle Pillar — Sports Editor.

ROCKINGHAM — A night after struggling at the plate, the Lady Raider softball team used a nine-run first inning to complete the season sweep of Union Pines High School.

Ending a two game slide, Richmond’s softball team mercy-ruled the Lady Vikings 12-1 in five innings.

Complementing an early offensive outburst, junior pitcher Quston Leviner threw a complete game and allowed just one hit. Giving up an unearned run in the top of the fifth, Leviner struck out five batters in the win.

Leviner allowed a single to Marissa Fuller to lead off the second, and retired Union Pines in order in the first and fourth frames.

Junior pitcher Quston Leviner throws a pitch during the second inning of Richmond’s win. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)

Sending 12 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, Richmond scored nine runs to put the game away early.

On the second pitch from Megan Needham, senior Allyiah Swiney powered an opposite field home run over the right field wall to make it 1-0. Sophomore Katie Way recorded an RBI with a line drive single to left, scoring senior Kenleigh Frye (walk).

Junior Macy Steen recorded an RBI when she was plunked by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in junior Makayla Parks (HBP). After that run, relief pitcher Madison Wagner took over with the bases loaded and no outs.

A passed ball on Wagner’s first offering allowed Way to beat the tag at the plate to make it a 4-0 lead. Another hit-by-pitch to sophomore Christi Jacobs loaded the bases.

A throwing error on a pick-off attempt resulted in Leviner (fielder’s choice) and Steen to score, and Jacobs crossed the plate on another passed ball.

Swiney recorded a two-out double to left field and scored when Frye barreled up a two-run blast to center field to make it 9-0.

Richmond scored a solo run in the bottom of the second when Way (walk) raced home from first on a throwing error by the catcher trying to pick her off.

The Lady Raiders added their final two runs in the bottom of the fourth, starting with an RBI single by sophomore Ryelan Lyerly. Sending a liner to center, Lyerly plated Way (single). Steen, who drew a walk, later scored on a passed ball.

Junior Macy Steen (5) slides to beat the tag during Richmond’s win over Union Pines. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)

Union Pines (8-7, 4-5 SAC) scored its lone run of the game in the fifth, using a pair of Richmond errors.

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Swiney and Way both led Richmond with two hits apiece, and combined to score five runs. Frye had a team-high two RBIs and scored twice, and adding one RBI each were Swiney, Steen, Lyerly and Way.

Richmond (11-4, 8-3 SAC) will get an extended break from the diamond and resume play after spring break with a home game against non-conference Western Harnett on April 25.

VIDEO INTERVIEW: Senior Allyiah Swiney, who had a homerun and a double in the first inning, talks about setting the tone early in Tuesday’s win. Head coach Mike Way adds how the team is gearing up for the final stretch of the regular season.

Note: The Richmond junior varsity softball team did not play on Tuesday.

JV Raider baseball mercy-rules Purnell Swett

Playing on the road at Purnell Swett High School on Tuesday, the Richmond junior varsity baseball team added another win to its season total.

Defeating the JV Rams 11-1 in seven innings, the JV Raiders were led by Mason Murray’s five RBIs. He had a pair of triples, drew a walk and scored one run.

Alan Taylor threw a complete game for Richmond, giving up just one earned run on two hits. He also struck out 10 batters in the process.

The JV Raiders scored three runs in the first, added five runs in the second, scored one in the third and capped the win with two runs in the seventh.

Seven players combined for eight hits, including Murray’s two triples. Isaac Hinshaw had a double and an RBI and Cain Hunsucker added a two-bagger for the team’s other extra base hit.

Jason Walker contributed a single and two RBIs, Jeremiah Ritter and Taylor both had one hit and one RBI and Landon Taylor notched a single.

“Alan did a great job going the distance for us tonight,” head coach Ryan Mercer said. “With three games in three days, we need our starters to step up and finish games. I’m really pleased with the way we capitalized early and scored some runs. 

“We didn’t do a great job in the mental game after that though,” he added. “Those are the little things we have to continue to be better at. But all in all, I’m glad to have another win and we have to be ready to play again tomorrow against Lumberton.”

Now 9-4 on the season, the JV Raiders will play non-conference Lumberton on Wednesday.



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Kyle Pillar is a 22-time North Carolina Press Association award-winning sports editor with The Richmond Observer. Follow the sports department on X @ROSports_ for the best in-depth coverage of Richmond County sports.