ROCKINGHAM — What was otherwise a close game through the first six innings got away from the Richmond Senior High School baseball team in the final frame Wednesday.
Facing Charlotte Catholic High School in a non-conference meeting, the Raiders suffered a 14-0 loss to the Cougars.
A four-run top of the fourth inning put Charlotte Catholic ahead until the Cougars scored 10 runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Richmond used a platoon of pitchers during the game, starting with junior Evan Hodges (4 innings, 6 hits, 4 earned runs).
Freshman Devin Haynes threw two innings of scoreless relief and struck out three batters, while allowing three hits and a walk.
Starting the seventh inning on the mound, senior Jeremiah Ritter pitched a third of an inning. Surrendering five hits, Ritter was charged with eight runs (five earned). Closing out the final two-thirds of the inning was freshman Collin Hill (2 hits, 2 earned runs).
Quinn O’Rourke threw six innings for the Cougars and struck out 10 batters. Senior Landon Taylor had one of Richmond’s two hits in the game, an infield single in the first inning, which was the only hit O’Rourke gave up.
Hill smacked a base hit between the 3-4 hole in the bottom of the seventh off reliever Ben Bordeaux for Richmond’s other hit. The Raiders stranded a total of four baserunners during the game.
Richmond (7-6, 4-3 Sandhills Athletic Conference) will close its series with Union Pines High School (3-7, 1-4 SAC) on the road Friday. Action will begin at 7 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Statistics and game information provided by Richmond’s Game Changer.
