LAURINBURG — Evening its season record Thursday, the Richmond Senior High School girls’ bowling team registered two wins.
Bowling in their sixth Sandhills Athletic Conference dual-meet of the winter, the Lady Raiders secured wins over Hoke County and Southern Lee high schools.
It was the team’s third win in as many tries over the Lady Cavaliers and Richmond snapped its two-match skid against the Lady Bucks.
The Lady Raiders defeated Southern Lee 5-0 and followed with a 3-2 victory over Hoke County, which was decided in the final pin count.
“Today was a really good day across the board from all the girls,” head coach Ashleigh Larsen said. “Getting eight points will help us during the final push.
“The girls did a better job closing frames and we had a higher percentage than last week. It was nice to finally get a win against Hoke County after being so close the first two times.”
As a team, Richmond closed 33-of-88 frames (37.5%), which was 3% better than last week’s performance in two losses.
Junior anchor Ava Thompson had a team-best .500 combined closing percentage, while sophomore Jentry Denson set a season-best closing percentage (37.5%). Junior Hanna Smith tied her season-high (31.3%).
Pin total decider against Hoke County
In the previous two meetings this winter against Hoke County, Richmond lost both 3-2. This time the Lady Raiders were able to flip the script thanks to a strong second game and holding on late.
Game scores were 123-126, 163-118, 98-132 and 126-122 for a final score of 510-498. Richmond’s 45-pin advantage in the second game proved to be the difference maker.
The team rolled a single-game season-high 163 in that second contest and averaged 127.5 pins per game. Richmond had 10 strikes and nine spares to close out 19-of-45 frames (42.2%).
Thompson led the team with four strikes (tied season-high) and three spares. She closed 7-of-13 frames (53.8%). Denson set a season-high single-match total with two strikes and added a spare.
Smith also closed out three of her frames, all strikes. Senior Katie Way bowled at a 50% clip, shutting the door on 4-of-8 frames with a strike and three spares. Senior Neely Turner added two spares.
In the final frames of the fourth game, Turner bowled a spare and Thompson had a strike to extend the 10th frame.
Lady Raiders blank Southern Lee
Richmond’s second match against Southern Lee wasn’t nearly as contested as its first. Game scores were 113-95, 111-85, 111-100 and 130-108, paving the way to a 465-388 victory.
Using three strikes and 11 spares, the Lady Raiders bowled a .326 closing percentage (14-for-43) and averaged 116.3 pins per game.
Thompson again led the team (45.4%), going 5-of-11 with a strike and four spares. Denson and Way each closed three frames, rolling a strike and two spares apiece.
Smith knocked down two more spares and Turner added a helper in the victory.
The Lady Raiders (6-6) will finish their regular season schedule next Thursday in Aberdeen. Senior night will start at 3:45 p.m. followed by matches.
