TROY — For the first time through 10 games this season, the Richmond Senior High School baseball team won back-to-back games Wednesday.
Following a one-run win the night before, the Raiders brought the bats in their non-conference game at Montgomery Central High School. Belting 11 hits from seven players, Richmond won 9-4.
Four players — junior Evan Hodges, sophomore Collin Hill, senior Jason Walker and freshman Devin Haynes — had two hits apiece. One of Hodges’ hits went for two bases.
Senior Jeremiah Ritter connected for a double, while senior Landon Taylor and junior Caden Nolan each had one base hit.
Richmond controlled the game from the start, scoring a run in the first inning before jumping out to a 3-0 lead after two complete. With the game later tied 3-3 entering the fifth inning, Richmond went ahead for good thanks to a three-spot in the top half.
The Raiders scored three insurance runs in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach of the Timberwolves (6-3).
Hodges made the start for Richmond and threw three innings. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits, while striking out three batters and stranding five base runners.
Haynes took over to start the fourth inning and he provided four innings of relief. Striking out seven Timberwolves, Haynes gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits.
In the top of the first, Taylor was hit by a pitch and Richmond loaded the bases with two outs. Thanks to a wild pitch, Taylor scored the game’s first run.
Sophomore Drew Gause (walk) and Haynes (single) led off the second and reached safely with no outs. Both base runners moved up 90 feet on stolen bases before senior Jabari Douglas reached on an error, which allowed Gause to score.
In the next plate appearance, Taylor lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, deep enough to score Haynes and build the lead to 3-0.
Montgomery Central used a two-run home run in the bottom of the third and an RBI double in the home half of the fourth to tie the game.
Responding to the pressure, Richmond scored six of the next seven runs and Haynes retired eight straight batters between the final out of the fourth and the first out of the seventh. He struck out the side in order on 15 pitches in the sixth.
Taylor started Richmond’s three-run fifth inning with a leadoff single and quickly stole second base. Hodges recorded an RBI with a line drive single into left field, scoring Taylor to make it 4-3.
Nolan kept the rally going with a single in the next at-bat and Hill recorded the first of his two RBI an at-bat later with a single to right. As Nolan scored, Hill moved up to second on the throw to get into scoring position.
A bunt single from Walker put runners on the corners and head coach Eric Brown resorted to small ball to pad the lead. Gause laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher, which allowed Hill to race in safely and score from third.
Leading off the seventh, Hodges smoked a double and advanced to third base following a flyout. Hill provided more of a cushion when he hustled out a bunt single to plate Hodges on the squeeze.
The Raiders’ final two runs came later in the inning courtesy of Hill (passed ball) and an RBI single from Haynes. Scoring on the final hit for the Raiders was Walker (single).
With two runners on and one out in the bottom of the seventh, the Timberwolves scored to make it 9-4 on a fielder’s choice. Haynes settled in and got his final K two batters later to leave two runners in scoring position.
The Raiders (5-5, 2-3 Sandhills Athletic Conference) will close their conference series with Hoke County (1-8, 0-5 SAC) Friday. First pitch from Raeford is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Statistics and game information provided by Richmond’s Game Changer.
