KERNERSVILLE, N.C. – Richmond Senior High’s varsity baseball team needed to play a perfect game against East Forsyth if it wanted to advance to the third round of the state 4A playoffs.
Unfortunately, two costly late-game miscues resulted in Richmond’s demise and its season came to an emotional end on the road with a 5-2 loss at East Forsyth High School.
When East Forsyth second baseman Matt Rivers came to the plate in the bottom of the 6th inning, his team trailed Richmond 2-1, but he had three teammates on base and only one out on the board. A single, an error, and an intentional walk had created the bases-loaded scenario giving Rivers the opportunity to play hero.
Rivers made contact on the first pitch from Raider senior Jonathan Lee and popped it right into potential double play territory. Rivers’ infield pop-up bounced once and then deflected off of the gloves of both Richmond third baseman Tyler Bass and shortstop Drew Loving before rolling off into centerfield allowing two East Forsyth runners to score. The Eagles plated two more before the inning came to an end.
That error, combined with a throwing error from Lee to second baseman Justin Ingram earlier in the inning could have resulted in outs two and three, and would have sent the Raiders into the final inning with a one run advantage. Instead, Richmond found itself down to its last three outs and facing a 5-2 deficit.
The Raiders were retired in order in the top of the seventh inning and the home team celebrated its postseason victory.
Rivers was the only base runner in the game’s first two innings. He reached on an error that time as well, but Lee managed to strike out the final two batters to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.
The top of the third inning gave Raider Nation something to get excited about. Cam Carraway blasted a 1-2 pitch over the head of East Forsyth centerfielder Lemonte Johnson that crashed against the outfield fence. Carraway sped around the bases sliding in safely at third base for a leadoff triple. Alex Anderson put Richmond on the board first bringing Carraway home with a bunt.
Gordon Pihl got Richmond going again with a two-out single in the top of the fourth inning. He was replaced by courtesy runner Cy Jones who advanced to second base on a passed ball. Jones then stole third base and came home on another passed ball to put the Raiders ahead 2-0.
The Eagles (21-5) responded in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double from right fielder Hunter Hutchens. The Raiders’ 2-1 lead remained until the Eagles took control in the sixth.
With the loss, the Raiders’ season comes to an end. They finished the season with an 18-8 record.
