ROCKINGHAM — After more than two weeks since the regular season started for the varsity softball team, Richmond Senior High School’s junior varsity squad got its first chance to play Tuesday.
With all of Richmond’s previous opponents not having junior varsity teams, the JV Lady Raiders debuted against Hoke County High School and won 6-1 in four innings (time limit).
Pitching for Richmond was Madison Hancock, who tossed all four innings. She allowed one unearned run on one hit with seven strikeouts.
After allowing a run to score in the top of the first on an error with no outs, Hancock retired 12 of the next 13 batters to finish the game. Hoke County’s lone hit was a leadoff single in the third.
All of Richmond’s runs came in the bottom of the first. The high-scoring frame was started by Annabelle Millen’s sacrifice fly, which scored Liz Lunceford, who singled back up the middle on the first pitch of the game.
Madeline Carriker made it 3-0 with a 2-RBI single to right field on a line, bringing in Macie King and Hancock (walks).
Rylee Smith scored a run on an infield RBI single to third base. Later in the inning with two outs, Lunceford and King both drew a bases-loaded walk to record an RBI.
The victory was also the first win of first-year head coach Lauren Brewer’s career.
The JV Lady Raiders (1-0, 1-0 SAC) will travel to non-conference East Mecklenburg High School Thursday and start at 5 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Statistics and game information provided by Richmond’s Game Changer.
