ROCKINGHAM — Two Richmond Senior High School softball players capped their respective playing careers with postseason accolades.
Seniors Ryelan Lyerly and Katie Way were named to the 2024 All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team, which was released over the weekend.
A four-year varsity starter, Way was selected for the third time in her career. Lyerly, who started for the varsity team since her sophomore year, earned her first recognition.
“Although this season didn’t exactly go the way they or any of us wanted it to, Ryelan and Katie still had solid seasons and were the leaders that this team needed,” head coach Mike Way shared.
“They are both perfect examples of what teammates should be. They are only interested in doing whatever needs to be done for the team to be as successful as possible.”
This spring, the Lady Raiders went 7-12 overall and finished fourth in the SAC standings with a 5-7 mark. Richmond returned to the 4A state playoffs as well.
Scotland High School, which won the SAC regular-season conference championship, took the top two of the top three individual accolades.
Avery Stutts was named Pitcher of the Year and Adam Romaine was tabbed Coach of the Year. Savanna Mullins (Lee County) and Carrie Ellen Bryan (Southern Lee) were named Co-Player of the Year.
Ryelan Lyerly, senior shortstop
Joining the team after a successful run in the 4A basketball playoffs, Lyerly served as the Lady Raiders’ shortstop and batted third in the lineup.
This spring, Lyerly batted .278 with 10 hits and four runs batted in. She recorded one double and one triple while also scoring seven runs. Lyerly had a .366 on-base percentage, a .361 slugging percentage and a .727 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Lyerly’s best single-game performance of the season came against Lee County in the SAC tournament. She went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.
“It feels really good to make All-Conference, especially making it my last year because it lets me go out with a bang,” Lyerly said. “What allowed me to have a successful season was putting in a lot of hard work and not letting obstacles I faced throughout the year get in the way of accomplishing getting All-Conference and having an overall successful year.
“Lady Raider softball has influenced me by becoming a leader and being a role model,” she added. “I’ve also been influenced to just have fun and enjoy the sport and to not let my mistakes define me.
“Some of my favorite memories are going to eat before the games and getting my ‘big back’ burrito from Chipotle and chanting the loudest in the dugout with a bunch of random cheers I’d make up in my head.”
Katie Way, senior first baseman
Way has been a staple for the softball team since her freshman year and closed out her career with her third straight All-SAC selection. This season, she moved to the leadoff spot in the lineup and played first base.
In her final season, Way batted .295 and had the team’s second-highest on-base percentage (.458). She had 13 hits, including five doubles and one homer, scored 12 runs and collected a dozen RBI. Leading the team with six hit-by-pitches, Way had a .477 slugging percentage and a .935 OPS.
Way’s best stretch of the season was in the early going. Through the first five games, she was 8-for-14 (.571) with four doubles, a homer and nine RBI.
“It feels great to make All-Conference for the third time in my career,” Way said. “I think my consistency and hard work, as well as my competitiveness, really pushed me to be the best softball player I can be.
“Being a Lady Raider for the past four years has been the best thing that could ever happen for me. It has made me a better person on and off the field because I know someone is always watching and looking up to the whole team. I have also been able to meet some of my best friends who have made me a better person.
“Playing for my dad was the best thing ever,” she added. “I loved every minute of it, and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. He taught us things that are way more important than winning a softball game. He taught us how to win in life.”
