LAURINBURG — From the opening pitch of Thursday’s game, the varsity Renegade baseball team set the tempo against Scotland.
Looking to redeem a loss to the Scots last week, Richmond used a six-run first inning to secure a 7-5 win. It was the team’s third straight victory.
Junior James Eason threw a complete game, collecting nine strikeouts. He overcame a five-run fifth inning by Scotland, and gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits.
Eason retired the first six batters he faced through the opening two innings, stranded two runners in scoring position in the third, and sat Scotland down in order in the sixth and seventh innings.
With the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh, junior Isaac Hinshaw started a 5-3 game-ending double play. He snagged a line drive and doubled off a runner at first.
The first four batters for Richmond all secured a hit to start the top of the first off starting pitcher Dylan Tilson (1.0 inning, four hits, six earned runs). Senior Ashton Phifer belted the first pitch of the game for a single.
That was followed by a base knock from junior Camron Seagraves, and an opposite field single to left by senior Ethan Clayton scored Phifer. A throwing error, one of four by Scotland, allowed Seagraves to score on the same play.
In the next at-bat, Eason helped his cause with an RBI double to the left-center gap to extend the lead to 3-0.
Keeping the inning going with one out and the bases loaded, junior Zavier Lowry notched his team-high two RBIs with a line drive single to left field. Racing home were Eason and sophomore Mason Murray (walk).
Junior Davis Faw capped the six-run first with an RBI groundout to short, scoring courtesy runner Allen Taylor (running for Landon Taylor, hit-by-pitch).
Both teams would trade scoreless innings until Richmond plated its final run in the top of the fourth. A one-out single by Murray, coupled with an error, put him on second base.
Landon Taylor dug in and roped an RBI base hit to right field, bringing home Murray.
Scotland wouldn’t go away quietly, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fifth. The home team used a pair of two-run homers and one of Richmond’s six errors to score all five runs.
Richmond had a chance to score insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but stranded four total base runners.
Clayton had a team-high two hits in the Renegades’ nine-hit performance. Behind Lowry’s two RBIs, Clayton, Eason, Faw and Landon Taylor each added one.
Richmond (4-1) will take time off for the Fourth of July and return to action next Wednesday at Scotland. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.