ROCKINGHAM - In a makeup game from this past Tuesday, the Richmond Raiders baseball team got into Sandhills Athletic Conference play on Thursday against reigning conference champion Purnell Swett High School. The Raiders were victorious, winning 6-4, but the game was not without its mistakes.
The Raiders and the Rams combined for 12 errors in the game, including seven alone from Purnell Swett. On offense, however, Richmond was able to jump out early when Garet Weigman hit a sacrifice fly that scored Tyler Bass in the first inning. Starting pitcher Trey Watkins then doubled to score another run to put the Raiders up 2-0.
The score would stay that way until the top of the third inning when Purnell Swett was able to score a run via three errors made on the same play by Richmond. In the bottom half of the frame, the Raiders would extend the lead once again after first baseman Jake Ransom singled to score Bass, followed by another double by Watkins to the left field gap to score Weigman.
The Raiders would again put runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth after the Rams added to their error list - at this point in the game having five - and Richmond found themselves up 6-1 heading into the top of the sixth.
In the field, Watkins carved up the Rams lineup to the tune of 12 strikeouts, one hit and three walks, with the one hit being a check swing that was beat out at first base.
"I thought we took advantage of some miscues, obviously both teams, I'm sure have played better. It was an ugly game on both sides. A lot of mistakes," head coach Ricky Young said after the game. "Luckily we were able to capitalize on a few more. I thought Trey Watkins threw tremendously well. His count got up, and it was cold so we had to get him out. We've just got to do a better job of throwing strikes. But it's a win and you can't complain after a win."
It was the top of the sixth inning, however, where things got rather dicey for the Raiders. Watkins was replaced on the mound by Justin Ingram who struck out the first batter but gave up three hits and a walk to go along with another Richmond error. Ingram followed up the walk with a wild pitch that allowed Purnell Swett to get to within three runs at 6-3.
Cam Carraway relieved Ingram after the wild pitch, but Gordon Pihl behind the plate let a ball get by him that let the Rams score and make it 6-4. Carraway was able to stop the bleeding with one of his three strikeouts ending the sixth. His other two Ks helped end the game in the top of the seventh inning.
"That's one thing we like to pride ourselves is defense, but tonight was not a good night for either team," Young said about all the errors on both sides. "The good thing is we get to play tomorrow night so hopefully we'll be better tomorrow."
In addition to his big night on the mound, Watkins led the Raiders offense going 2-2 with two doubles at the plate with two RBIs.
Young told his team after the game that they've simply got to be a better team and play with more energy and focus on the field.
"We pride ourselves on pitching and defense," he said Thursday. "That's how we try to win, but tonight the defense part wasn't very good so we've just got to get better."
The Raiders will look to shore up the defense when they immediately return to action on Friday on the road in Maxton for the second of a back-to-back against the Rams. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.
