ASHEBORO — Even though it had been nearly two weeks since its last game, the Richmond junior varsity softball team showed no rust during its season finale Wednesday.
Making the trip to Southwestern Randolph High School to finish their 13-game regular season, the JV Lady Raiders cruised to a 17-0 mercy-rule win in three innings.
Richmond’s bats loomed large as the lineup connected for 19 hits, including six extra-base hits. Sophomore Macie King had a home run and a triple to finish with three runs batted in.
Sophomore Madeline Carriker drove in a team-high six RBI on four hits, including a double and a triple. Sophomore Kaylan Parson was also a big part of the offense, driving in five RBI on a double and a single.
The JV Lady Raiders’ other extra-base hit belonged to freshman Sydney Barnes, who added a triple and two RBI. Freshman Annabelle Millen had one hit and drove in one run, and freshman Liz Lunceford had three hits and scored three runs.
Freshman pitcher Madison Hancock pitched 2.2 innings and allowed no runs on two hits, while striking out six batters. Fellow freshman Abigail Hinson tossed the final third of an inning to record the final out.
Richmond peppered the scoreboard with five runs in the first inning, three runs in the second inning and capped their season with a nine-run top of the third.
King started the scoring with a triple in the second at-bat of the first inning, which scored Lunceford (single). One pitch later, Carriker singled to left field to make it 2-0 when King trotted home.
A Barnes single and a walk to Hancock loaded the bases for Parsons, who cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to extend the lead to 5-0.
Lunceford and King each singled to start the second inning and Carriker scored both runners with a two-bagger to left field. Barnes brought Carriker home in the next at-bat with an RBI single to put Richmond up eight runs.
To start the third inning, Lunceford singled and then scored when King hit a two-run inside-the-park homer. Back-to-back triples from Carriker and Barnes grew the lead to 11-0.
Parsons finished her five-RBI game with a base hit that drove in Barnes and Hancock (walk). Millen joined the scoring palooza with an RBI single to bring in Parsons.
Later in the inning with two outs, Carriker capped the scoring with the final three of her six RBI. Her hit to center field scored Millen, freshman Kaylee Connor (single) and freshman Jordyn Chappell (walk).
The JV Lady Raiders and first-year head coach Lauren Brewer ended the season with a 10-3 overall record. Against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents, they went 5-1, splitting their series with Scotland High School.
Sports editor’s note: Statistics and game information provided by Richmond’s Game Changer.
