ROCKINGHAM — Caden Nolan was center stage during the Richmond Renegade junior varsity baseball team’s win on Wednesday.
Hosting the Lee County Spinners, Richmond earned a 4-1 win in five innings (time limit).
Returning to the win column, the JV Renegades used timely hitting, seven bases on balls and a strong start by Riley Brown.
Throwing 4.0 innings of shutout baseball, Brown impressed in his second straight start. He allowed just two hits and struck out six batters.
He also relied on his defense to make plays, and worked out of several jams to keep the Spinners off the board. Brown stranded two runners on base in all four innings of work.
The JV Renegades struggled to collect hits in the win, but Nolan produced when his number was called. He had both of Richmond’s hits in the game, a pair of RBI singles.
Taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Nolan connected on his first hit on a line drive to left. Sam Thompson (walk) scored from second, the first of his two runs scored.
Three batters later, Jason Gainey drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Brooks Calhoun (walk). Calhoun also scored twice in the win.
With two runners on in the top of the fourth, Brown got an inning-ending double play to erase the threat. Jabari Douglas made a running catch in center before doubling off the runner at second.
Lee County scored on a passed ball in the top of the fifth. Nolan was pitching, and he added 1.0 inning of work with one hit and three Ks.
Two more runs in the home half gave Richmond its final two runs. Thompson and Calhoun drew one-out walks to bring Nolan to the plate.
Facing a 1-2 count, Nolan barreled an RBI single to center, scoring Thompson. Calhoun later scored on a passed ball.
The JV Renegades (3-1-1) will host Scotland on Thursday. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: Caden Nolan and coach Ryan Mercer break down Wednesday’s win over Lee County.
