ROCKINGHAM — Putting an exclamation point on the end of their high school careers, three Lady Raider softball players were named to the All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team.
Seniors Trinity Lockhart, Madelynn Pearson and Jakayla Steele were Richmond Senior High School’s representatives on the 2025 All-SAC team, which was released by conference president Chad Hill earlier this week.
All three Lady Raiders have been multi-year starters for the team and received their first career selections.
“I’m so proud of all three of these ladies,” head coach Caroline Wilson said. “They all put the work in during the season and it paid off. Trinity broke her hand mid-season and still played with a cast and never gave less than 100%.
“Madee had her best pitching season of her high school career and battled every time she pitched for us. Jakayla showed up offensively and led the team in home runs along with the highest batting average the whole season. This honor is well deserved for all three.”
In Wilson’s first season as head coach, Richmond went 9-17 overall and finished fourth overall in the SAC standings with a 5-7 record. The team just missed out on the NCHSAA 4A playoffs.
Scotland High School, which won the regular-season and conference tournament titles, had a conference-best six players named. Among them were Avery Stutts (Pitcher of the Year) and Dawson Blue (Player of the Year).
Pinecrest High School’s Randy Calcutt was named Coach of the Year. Union Pines High School had five players named, Hoke County High School had four selections and Pinecrest, Lee County and Southern Lee high schools each had one player.
Trinity Lockhart, senior outfielder
Playing her second year of varsity softball, Lockhart was Richmond’s leadoff batter and anchor in center field. Despite breaking her hand, Lockhart didn’t miss a beat and helped the team on offense and defense.
A speedster on the base paths, Lockhart’s 19 stolen bases ranked her tied for third in the SAC. Batting at a .404 clip, the second highest batting average for the Lady Raiders, Lockhart was also third on the team with 19 runs scored and a .460 batting average.
When she wasn’t producing at the plate or making plays in center field, Wilson said Lockhart’s leadership and optimistic attitude guided the team throughout the season.
"This really means a lot to me because it lets me know that my hard work and dedication to this sport paid off during my senior season," Lockhart said.
"Being a Lady Raider softball player has taught me so much that I can use in college and real life. Playing at Richmond taught me determination, discipline and patience."
Madelynn Pearson, senior pitcher
The primary pitcher for the Lady Raiders the past two seasons, Pearson pieced together a strong final season in the circle. Able to hit her spots consistently, especially in conference play, Pearson made at-bats challenging for opposing hitters.
Pearson made 22 appearances this season and finished with a 5-5 overall record. That number of wins placed her fourth in the SAC. Leading the team in innings pitched, Pearson threw 86.2 innings this spring, the third most in the conference.
Averaging more than one strikeout per inning pitched, Pearson finished her final season with 101 total strikeouts, third best amongst all the pitchers in the conference. She struck out a single-game career-high 13 batters twice this season and was seventh in earned run average (7.75).
“It means the world to end my career with an All-Conference selection,” Pearson said. “Especially because I don’t plan to continue playing softball in college. It feels great to know all the hard work paid off.
“Some of my favorite memories as a Lady Raider are the bus rides to and from games and the late night locker room talks after home games. The talks and laughs we all would share is definitely something I will always remember and miss.”
Jakayla Steele, senior outfielder
Undoubtedly the most consistent batter for Richmond this season, Steele was a threat at the plate with power. She led the Lady Raiders in almost all offensive categories and ranked in the top five in the SAC in several as well.
Finishing her four-year varsity career with a team-leading .537 batting average, Steele ranked as the third best hitter for average in the SAC. She was also third in the conference in on-base percentage (.563) and was tied for third in runs scored (27).
Going yard three times this season, Steele led the team and was tied for fifth in the conference in home runs. She was also tied for fifth with 16 stolen bases. With a team-leading .925 slugging percentage, Steele recorded 10 multi-hit games, including two four-hit games.
“It means the world to me to make All-Conference because this was an achievement for me and my three grandparents who passed away,” Steele explained. “I dedicated this season to them and promised to leave a mark.
“What allowed me to be so successful was just taking it one pitch at a time and knowing I had to get on base and do a job every at-bat. And praying above all else. It feels unreal to have been top three in the conference for batting. I always knew I had an amazing bat, I’m just thankful for being able to show my talent and have a great senior season”
The Richmond Observer will publish All-Conference articles for the Lady Raider soccer team and Raider baseball team in the coming days.
