ROCKINGHAM — It was a good day all around for the Richmond Senior High School baseball program Saturday.
Able to stay in the win column, the Raiders and head coach Eric Brown also hosted dozens of former players and coaches for their alumni game.
During the pregame festivities, members of the 2000 state runner-up team were recognized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the near-championship run. All players and coaches in attendance were invited onto the field for the National Anthem.
Collecting its fourth consecutive win, matching a season-long winning streak, Richmond run-ruled Caldwell Academy 10-0 in five innings. It was the team’s second straight mercy-rule win and fourth in its last six games.
A gem on the mound from junior pitcher Evan Hodges resulted in a complete game shutout. Allowing just one hit, which came in the top of the fourth inning, Hodges struck out five batters and allowed two walks.
The defense helped Hodges face three batters in all five innings. Senior catcher Jabari Douglas eliminated a one-out walk in the first by getting a base runner trying to steal second.
A 5-4-3 double play took care of a leadoff walk in the third frame and Hodges helped himself by picking off a base runner for the second out of the fourth inning.
The Raiders’ bats caught up quickly to starting pitcher Brett Bullins, who allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on eight hits through four innings.
Richmond scored two runs in the first, a run in the third, two more runs in the fourth and ended the game early with a five spot in the fifth inning.
Hodges, juniors Caden Nolan and Jake Veach, and senior Landon Taylor all had two hits in the win.
Both of Nolan’s hits went for two bases, as he drove in three runs batted in. Veach had Richmond’s other extra-base hit, also a double, and matched Nolan with three RBI.
Senior Conner Phifer had the final of the team’s nine hits, while also driving in two runs.
One-out singles by Taylor and Hodges put two runners on for Nolan, who broke the scoreless tie with a two-RBI double. Sending a line drive to the corner in left, Nolan scored Taylor and Hodges to make it 2-0.
Later in the bottom of the third, Nolan connected on a two-out RBI double that scored Taylor (single).
A fielder’s choice by Phifer and a walk to freshman Devin Haynes put two on for Veach with one out in the bottom of the fourth. Doubling to straightaway right field, Veach brought in Phifer.
Moving to third on the hit, Haynes scored during the next plate appearance. Douglas skied a sacrifice fly to center field to bring in Haynes and extend the lead to 5-0.
Starting the five-run fifth, sophomore Collin Hill reached on an error with two runners on. Senior courtesy runner Jeremiah Ritter raced home safely on the miscue.
Up to bat with the bases loaded and no outs, Phifer roped a two-RBI single into right field. Scoring to put Richmond ahead 8-0 were Nolan (walk) and Hill.
Still with no outs, Veach dug in and hit a ground ball single into left field to end the game early with his final two RBI. Scoring first was sophomore Drew Gause (walk), followed by Phifer.
Richmond (11-6) will play two non-conference games at home next week, starting with Triton High School (8-8) Wednesday. Friday will be a meeting with Butler High School. Both games will start at 6 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Statistics and game information provided by Richmond’s Game Changer.
