SHALLOTTE — A season-long winning streak was extended for the Richmond Raider baseball team Monday.
The only of Richmond Senior High School’s spring sports programs to be in competition over spring break, the Raiders opened the Beach Diamond Invitational with a shutout victory.
Facing Southern Nash High School, Richmond won 4-0, its fifth straight win.
Playing at West Brunswick High School and designated as the home team, the Raiders rode the momentum of sophomore starting pitcher Devin Haynes’ near complete game and did all of their scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Haynes pitched a four-hit gem and struck out seven Firebird batters, all in 6.1 innings. He left the game with one out in the seventh after he reached the pitch count.
Across his six full innings, Haynes retired Southern Nash in order three times, had two four-batter innings and worked out of a two-on, two-out jam in the fourth inning.
Senior reliever Evan Hodges closed the door in the seventh. Facing two batters, Hodges recorded a pair of punchouts on seven pitches.
Hodges also played a big role in the Raiders’ batting order, finishing the game with three runs batted in on two hits.
Both teams went scoreless through the first four innings before Richmond provided all of its offense in the home half of the fifth.
Senior Jake Veach led off the fifth with a free pass, which was followed by a one-out single by senior Maddox Locklear. An intentional walk to senior Caden Nolan in the next plate appearance loaded the bases for Hodges.
On a 1-1 offering in the next at-bat, Hodges sent a line drive double to left field, clearing the bases for his trio of RBI and put the Raiders up 3-0.
Before the end of the inning, a wild pitch gave Hodges time to cross home plate safely for the team’s final run.
Richmond had five hits in the game, led by Hodges’ double and single. Locklear, Nolan and junior Drew Gause each had a base hit.
Continuing the Beach Diamond Invitational Tuesday, the Raiders (11-3) will get the night cap against the host West Brunswick Trojans (8-7). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
