ROCKINGHAM — A hard-fought battle during Friday’s second round of the NCHSAA 4A East state playoffs ended two runs short for the Lady Raider softball team.
Hosting No. 23 Holly Springs High School, No. 7 Richmond saw its season come to an end in a 9-7 loss in nine innings.
Rallying in the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Raiders erased a three-run deficit to tie the game 7-7 to force extras.
Helping Richmond out to a 3-0 lead after two innings were a Macy Steen RBI single and a two-RBI double to the left field corner by Katie Way.
With the game tied 3-3 in the fourth, Ryelan Lyerly found the outfield grass in center for an RBI single to give the Lady Raiders the lead again.
Following a four-run top of the seventh by Holly Springs to flip the score in favor of the visitors 7-4, Richmond plated three runs to tie it.
Steen brought in the first run on a sacrifice fly and Lyerly doubled home a run.
A bunt by Hayden Robinson resulted in a fielder’s choice, as Makayla Parks slid head first under the tag attempt at the plate.
Holly Springs scored the go-ahead runs with two outs in the top of the ninth on a two-run home run.
Lyerly, Steen and Way each had two RBI, as Quston Leviner and Way both connected for a trio of hits.
The Lady Raiders, who made the second round for the second consecutive season, finished with a 13-8 overall record.
For a full game recap, complete with quotes from head coach Mike Way, click here.
Below are photos of Friday’s playoff game, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
