RAEFORD — No deficit was too large to overcome for the Richmond Senior High School softball team Tuesday, which earned an extra-inning victory on the road.
Trailing by as many as four runs in the fifth inning, the Lady Raiders rallied in Raeford to defeat Hoke County High School 8-6 in eight innings.
A team effort, the Lady Raiders outscored the Lady Bucks 5-1 in the final four innings of the Sandhills Athletic Conference win.
Four players each had two runs batted in — senior Katie Way, junior Maddie Pearson, sophomore Hayden Robinson and freshman Emma Rusich.
All four Lady Raiders contributed in the comeback victory, which was iced by Robinson’s two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning to left field. It was her second blast of the season, and second in as many games.
Pearson went the distance in the circle, pitching a complete game. She allowed six earned runs on seven hits and five walks, and struck out six batters.
On the second pitch of the game from Hoke’s starting pitcher Adriana Miller, Way put Richmond ahead with a solo homer to center field, her first of the season.
Richmond went down in order in the next two innings and Hoke County (3-2, 1-2 SAC) plated five runs in the home half of the third to take a 5-1 lead. The Lady Bucks used a trio of RBI doubles and a two-RBI double.
The Lady Raiders’ comeback started in the top of the fifth inning, which yielded three runs to make it a 5-4 deficit.
A one-out walk to senior Christi Jacobs was followed in the next at-bat by a two-run home run by Pearson to center field. Pearson pulled Richmond within two runs with her first career varsity longball.
With two away, Way was intentionally walked and that proved costly for Hoke County. Rusich recorded the second of her team-high three hits and first RBI in the next at-bat with a double to the gap in left, allowing Way to race home from first base.
The Lady Bucks scored their final run in the bottom of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly to regain a two-run lead.
Down to their final two outs in the seventh, the Lady Raiders continued their march and scored two runs. Pearson drew a one-out walk and senior Addyson Hollingsworth singled. A wild pitch by Miller moved both into scoring position.
Way did a job as the lineup turned over, skying a sacrifice fly to straightaway center to score Pearson. Rusich followed with her third hit of the game, an RBI single to bring in Hollingsworth to tie the game.
Pearson retired the Lady Bucks in order in the seventh, paving the way for Robinson to play hero.
Senior Ryelan Lyerly, making her season debut after helping the basketball team make the fourth round of the state playoffs, led off the eighth with a single back up the middle.
On the very next pitch, Robinson teed up Miller’s offering and cleared the fence in left field to give Richmond its first lead since the third inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, a one-out single and a two-out walk put the game-winning run at the plate, but Lyerly snagged a line drive at second base to end the threat.
The Lady Raiders (4-1, 3-0 SAC) are set for another road conference game at Union Pines High School (4-1, 2-1 SAC) Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
JV Lady Raiders also pick up road win
Winning its third straight game to start the season, the Richmond junior varsity softball team defeated Hoke County 8-6 in five innings (time limit) Tuesday.
Trailing 4-2 after the first inning, the JV Lady Raiders rallied by scoring a run in the second, two runs in the third and capped the victory with three runs in the fourth.
Freshman Nevaeh Robbins had a team-high two hits, including a homer, to go along with two RBI and two runs scored.
Macie King, Ashton Terry, Addison Raines, Kinsey Lyerly and Kalynn McCormick each connected for a double. Madeline Carriker and Cailyn Robinson both singled.
Driving in a run apiece were King, Lyerly, McCormick and Robinson.
King pitched a complete game, throwing five innings. She allowed six unearned runs on four hits and five walks, and recorded 10 Ks.
The JV Lady Raiders (3-0, 2-0 SAC) will play at Union Pines Friday at 5 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Deon Cranford contributed photos and videos to this article.
