ROCKINGHAM — A tough start to the season continued for the Richmond Senior High School softball team Monday.
Closing its two-game non-conference series with Montgomery Central High School, Richmond lost 24-12.
A one-run lead for the Lady Raiders after four innings was undone when Montgomery Central scored eight runs in the fifth and 11 runs in the seventh.
Richmond, which has dropped its first three games to start the season, committed eight errors in the field.
A trio of pitchers made an appearance in Monday’s game, starting with freshman Mackenzie Quick (4.1 innings). She allowed a dozen runs on six hits and six walks, but only three of those runs were earned.
Sophomore Emma Rusich threw 2.0 innings and surrendered 11 runs (one earned) on nine hits and two walks. Closing it out with two-thirds of an inning was senior Madelynn Pearson (one earned run, two hits).
The Lady Raiders took a 5-2 lead after the first inning, the first of their two five-run innings. Pearson recorded an RBI single and junior Hayden Robinson followed with a two-RBI double to give Richmond the lead.
An RBI base knock by sophomore Kalynn McCormick and senior Trinity Lockhart by inning’s end extended the lead to three runs.
The Lady Timberwolves (4-0) tied the game at five runs in the third inning with three runs.
The Lady Raiders took their final lead of the game in the bottom half an inning later. Senior Jakayla Steele recorded an RBI double to plate Lockhart.
Another solo run by Richmond in the bottom of the sixth cut its deficit to 13-7. Robinson tripled home Steele.
Facing a 17-run dilemma in the final half inning, Richmond scratched out five more runs.
Two runs scored when Lockhart reached on a fielder’s choice. Steele powered a two-RBI double and an error on a Robinson grounder allowed the final run to score.
The Lady Raiders (0-3) start their Sandhills Athletic Conference schedule Tuesday at Southern Lee High School (1-2). The game will start at 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Stats and game information used in this article provided by Richmond’s Game Changer. The junior varsity softball team didn’t play Monday.
