ROCKINGHAM – Before Tuesday’s showdown between rivals and Sandhills Athletic Conference foes Richmond and Pinecrest, everyone knew it was going to be a pitchers’ duel, and that’s exactly what the crowd got.
The Raiders, however, were unable to put any runs on the scoreboard to back up the stellar pitching performance from ace Trey Watkins. Watkins struck out 11 Patriots, while only giving up two hits and one intentional walk in a complete game.
Pinecrest’s ace Nik Pry, who is signed to join the North Carolina Tar Heels next season, also brought his “A” game, striking out four and allowing only three hits. But the Raiders were only able to muster up three hits on the night – a double down the right field line by Jonathan Lee, an infield single by left fielder Garet Weigman and a single from third baseman Braxton Furstein.
The only run by Pinecrest was manufactured by an infield hit by designated hitter Pres Ostert, followed by Watkins hitting first baseman Davis Wilson in the back and an RBI single by Bryce Calcutt to score Ostert.
“(Watkins) did exactly what we needed him to do,” head coach Ricky Young said after the game. “He threw the ball well, and gave us a chance to win.”
Young went on to say that they knew there were two excellent pitchers toeing the rubber Tuesday night, and they also knew it was going to be a low scoring game. The difference would be who could capitalize on mistakes.
“We didn’t get many opportunities, and we had one opportunity there and we didn’t take advantage,” the coach said. “We tried to pull too many outside pitches, not using more of the field. We’ve just got to get better at that.”
These two teams have always played close games, splitting wins during last year’s regular season, with both teams winning on their home fields. The Patriots later went on to defeat Richmond 1-0 en route to claiming the conference tournament title.
Young and the Raiders will have to hope for splitting on the road this season, and when asked how the Raiders (4-2 overall, 2-1 SAC) can get that victory, Young simply said, “we have to score some runs.”
The Raiders will play their next game in Southern Pines at 7 p.m. on Friday against the same Patriots team (6-0 overall, 3-0 SAC), who suddenly have some control over the top spot in the Sandhills Athletic Conference.
