SHALLOTTE — A couple of late-game chances to get runners home safely came up short for the Raider baseball team, as it fell to host school West Brunswick High School in the second round of the Beach Diamond Invitational.
Richmond lost to the Trojans 1-0, allowing the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The loss moved the Raiders to the consolation bracket and out of contention for their second-straight spring break tournament title.
Senior Hunter Parris threw a complete game, and gave up just four hits and one earned run. He also struck out eight batters despite the loss. It was his third loss of the season.
Both ball clubs traded scoreless innings through the first five and a half frames, but a one-out walk by West Brunswick’s pitcher Dylan Jeffries would lead to the game-winning run.
Hunter Nicoll followed up with a single to center field, moving Jeffries to third. David Warth dug in and laid a bunt in front of the mound, and Parris fielded the ball and tossed it to catcher Garet Weigman. But Jeffries slid under the tag on the fielder’s choice.
The Raider offense had runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth and sixth innings with just one out, but Jeffries managed to get out of the respective jams.
There were six different Raiders who collected a hit, all singles. They were Tyler Bass, Cameron Carraway, Evan Hudson, Jake Ransom, Garet Weigman and Brett Young.
With the loss, Richmond (16-7) will compete against Sandhills Athletic Conference rival Scotland High School in the third-place game Wednesday. The Raiders will look to avenge two regular season losses to the Fighting Scots. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
