ROCKINGHAM – Heading into Friday’s matchup with Jack Britt, Richmond Senior High’s varsity baseball team desperately needed a win to remain in a comfortable position in the conference standings.
The Raiders’ 7-4 loss to the Buccaneers in the first game of the series on Tuesday, combined with Hoke County’s surprising victory over Scotland, put Richmond two games out of first place.
Unfortunately for the Richmond, Buccaneer pitcher Brennen Herbert had a stellar night on the mound. The senior hurler led his Bucs to a 3-0 victory with his complete game no-hitter.
For five innings the two teams were locked in a stalemate. Herbert, and Richmond’s Jonathan Lee had only allowed three base runners up to that point. Heading into the sixth inning, there were no runs, hits, or errors, and the two pitchers had combined for 11 strikeouts and one walk.
The only hits and errors recorded in the entire game occurred in the top of the sixth inning. Jack Britt’s three singles combined with two errant throws by the Raiders resulted in three Buccaneer runs.
Lee still had a great night on the mound. He struck out eight batters and gave up only three hits and one walk.
With the loss, the Raiders drop to 5-4 overall, and 3-3 in Sandhills Athletic Conference play.
In other SAC action, Scotland (6-4, 4-2) defeated Hoke County (6-6, 5-1) in Raeford 5-1. It took an extra inning, but Pinecrest (9-1, 5-1) held on to beat Purnell Swett (0-10, 0-6) by a score of 2-0. Lumberton (2-5, 1-4) blew past Seventy-First (0-6, 0-5), taking a 15-1 victory over the winless Falcons. Hoke, Pinecrest, and Jack Britt (6-1, 5-1) will head into week four of conference play tied for first.
The Raiders are currently in fifth place and will take a break from conference action when they travel to Southeast Guilford Saturday at 3 p.m.
