ROCKINGHAM — Embodying a blue collar attitude of hard work, relentless grit and unmatched camaraderie when it hits the diamond, the Richmond Senior High School baseball team is sticking to its unique brand during its current playoff run.
Literally and figuratively, the Raiders and head coach Eric Brown grab their hard hats and metal lunch pails and go to work for seven innings a night.
Punch in. Play hard. Have fun. Win 76% of the time. And punch out when the final out is recorded and get ready to do it all again.
Embracing its #ForTheCounty mantra, Richmond’s baseball program has shown how proud it is to represent the homegrown talent and true community feel of baseball in Richmond County, something that many other programs in the state don’t get to experience.
As the Raiders and Brown continue to forge ahead in the NCHSAA 7A West state playoffs, they’re taking that small-town pride with them and wearing it as a badge of honor.
The “why not us” mentality is strong in the Raiders’ dugout, and in the stands, too, especially when city schools visit Raider Field.
One of those larger programs was Butler High School, which the Raiders shutout Friday and punched its ticket to the third round of the postseason for the first time since 2016.
A program built on rich tradition, storied players and an unrivaled past, Richmond has won four state championships.
But the last state title banner earned was in 1983, and despite runs in 2000 and 2014 as the Eastern regional champions, this year’s group of Raiders is hoping to end a 43-year drought.
And perhaps who better to captain the Raiders to their potential fifth state championship than Brown, who was a part of that state runner-up team in 2000?
Following Richmond’s win in the second round, it was Brown’s first postseason win as the Raiders’ head coach. Moreso, it ended a multi-year drought of playoff wins and added fuel to the furnace for Richmond.
“Our players and staff are confident,” Brown said. “Getting over the playoff win hump helps boost team morale, so I anticipate our guys being a little more loose tomorrow.
“But our confidence comes from our preparation. We’ve been preparing since September and our work has been intentional and consistent.”
Next on the 7A West bracket for the No. 6 Raiders is No. 19 Ballantyne Ridge, one of those Charlotte-Mecklenburg city schools that doesn’t know what it’s like to play for a small-town crowd.
A catalyst the Raiders believe can and will work in their favor, home field advantage has proven successful this season. In 15 games played at Raider Field this season, Richmond has compiled a 12-3 record.
Inversely, the Wolves (11-17) and head coach Michael Ladka have won just five of their 14 road games this spring. Their most recent road win came Friday in the second round, which resulted in a 3-2 upset win over No. 3 Grimsley High School.
That victory benefitted Richmond by securing another playoff home game for the third round Tuesday.
“(Ballantyne Ridge) is going to come in here tomorrow feeling just as confident as us and ready to play,” Brown said. “Winning two playoff games on the road will do that.
“They play in a tough league and have played some tough non-conference games as well. South Charlotte has a lot of good baseball talent so I expect them to be a good baseball team.”
Of the Wolves upsetting a favored Grimsley team in the second round, Brown was matter-of-fact that Friday’s outcome has no bearing on what the Raiders plan to do.
“It doesn’t change our approach at all,” Brown said. “We came into this with the mindset of going 1-0, and that hasn’t changed.
“More importantly, we are glad to be able to play at home on our field with our fans in the stands. It’s exciting for our players and I’m glad they get to experience that.”
The Raiders won the 2026 8A/7A Mid-South Conference championship, while the Wolves finished third in the 8A/7A Southwestern Conference, a full five games behind conference winner Providence High School.
Season scoring averages favor the Raiders, who are plating 7.0 runs per game and allowing just 3.1 runs per game. The Wolves are only averaging 4.5 runs per game and have allowed opponents to average 6.1 runs.
Throughout the course of the regular season, Richmond and Ballantyne Ridge have faced three common opponents – Butler, Myers Park and West Stanly high schools.
The results for both teams in those common opponent games are not only similar in outcome, but also final scores and run differential. Both teams beat Butler, with Richmond winning 5-0 and Ballantyne Ridge winning 6-5.
Going nine innings against Myers Park, the Wolves lost 6-5, while Richmond also lost to the Mustangs by a final score of 4-2.
Both programs suffered a one-run loss to West Stanly. Richmond fell 7-6 in the Beach Diamond Invitational championship and the Wolves were defeated 8-7.
Having to dig into its bullpen depth for round three, the Raiders will likely throw senior Evan Hodges or sophomore Devin Haynes to start. Hodges has thrown 32.1 innings and struck out 55 hitters and has a 2.81 ERA, while Haynes has recorded a 2.27 ERA with 39 Ks in 37 innings.
Ineligible to pitch for Richmond due to the NCHSAA’s pitch count rule is senior Caden Nolan, who pitched a complete game shutout against Butler. He leads all 7A pitchers with 111 strikeouts in 57.1 innings pitched.
No team or player statistics are posted on MaxPreps.com or GameChanger for Ballantyne Ridge.
However, sophomore pitcher Jace Shuler, who pitched 4.1 innings (72 pitches) against Grimsley, and winning pitcher sophomore Griffin O’Connell (2.1 innings, 33 pitches), will both be eligible to pitch against Richmond on three days rest.
Regardless of who starts on the bump for either team, Brown says strong starting pitching and efficiency at the plate are the two things that will help set the tone for the Raiders against Ballantyne Ridge.
“Our pitching has been strong all year and the hope is that we can continue to lean on that,” Brown closed.
“I think the biggest thing for us is getting contributions throughout the whole lineup and having productive at-bats 1-9 to put pressure on the defense. If we can pitch it and do that, I like our chances.”
Hoping to see Raider Field filled to capacity again, and extend their playoff run, the No. 6 Raiders will take the field Friday against the No. 19 Wolves at 7 p.m.
Bring your hard hats, Raider Nation.
