ROCKINGHAM — Scoring all of its runs in one inning Monday, the Richmond Senior High School softball team let go of a late lead.
Returning to their home diamond to host non-conference Anson High School, the Lady Raiders couldn’t hold onto a one-run lead and lost 9-5.
Trailing by four runs entering the bottom of the third inning, Richmond rallied to score all five of its runs.
Holding onto the lead through the fourth and fifth innings, the Lady Raiders allowed the Lady Bearcats to score two runs in the sixth and three runs in the seventh.
Junior Emma Rusich pitched 6.2 innings and allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits and struck out six batters.
Pitching the other third of an inning was sophomore Mackenzie Quick. Her appearance ended with two earned runs, no hits and one walk.
Anson used a solo homer in the top of the first and back-to-back doubles in the top of the second inning to take a 4-0 lead.
Rusich settled in and faced just four batters in the third inning, which led to all of Richmond’s runs in the home half.
With one out and Rusich (error) on second base, senior Hayden Robinson scorched an RBI double down the left field line that kicked up chalk and rolled to the wall for Richmond’s first run.
Two pitches later, freshman Claire Clark belted her second homer in as many games, clearing the wall in center field. Her two-run shot cut the Lady Raiders’ deficit to 4-3.
Senior Kinsie Lyerly kept the rally going when she reached on a single to left field. Later, with two outs, junior Jorja Moore raced safely following an error at short. On the same error, which saw the ball trickle into shallow center field, both Lyerly and Moore moved into scoring position.
Richmond’s final two runs scored in the next plate appearance when Quick ripped a hard ground ball to the shortstop, who booted the routine play. Lyerly and Moore were able to score on the miscue to give the Lady Raiders a 5-4 advantage.
After trading zeroes through the fourth and fifth frames, it was Anson which scored next in the top of the six. Two hit-by-pitches and a walk loaded the bases, and the Lady Bearcats tied the game on another HBP.
Anson took the lead for good shortly after, which was the result of a bases-loaded walk to flip the score 6-5 in the Lady Bearcats’ favor.
Richmond stranded a base runner in the home half and Anson gave itself a bigger cushion in the top of the seventh with a three-run homer. The Lady Raiders were retired in order in the seventh.
As a team, the Lady Raiders collected three hits – Clark’s homer, Robinson’s double and Lyerly’s single.
The Lady Raiders (0-2) will travel to non-conference Union Pines High School (1-0) Thursday and try to even the series with the Lady Vikings. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
JV softball team blanked at West Stanly High School
Unable to replicate its success from its season opener last week, the Richmond junior varsity softball team lost on the road Monday.
Playing at non-conference West Stanly High School, the JV Lady Raiders were shutout 10-0 in five innings.
The JV Lady Colts scored five runs in the first inning and combined to score five more runs between the second and third frames.
Lyra Newton (1.1 innings) and Autumn Cooper (2.2 innings) pitched for Richmond. Newton allowed seven earned runs on six hits and Cooper gave up three runs (two earned) and two hits.
At the plate, the JV Lady Raiders registered just three hits. Liz Lunceford had a triple and hitting a single each were Annabelle Millen and Ava Parks.
The JV Lady Raiders (1-1) will also play at Union Pines Thursday. That game is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m.
