ROCKINGHAM — Jonathan Lee’s walk-off RBI single saved both Richmond Senior and West Montgomery from another inning of below 40-degree weather.

Wednesday’s non-conference baseball matchup, which lasted 11 innings, saw the temperature steadily drop as the night wore on. Although the Raiders hit a snag after the fourth inning and couldn’t get much going offensively, they still had a chance to win the game after the Warriors’ batters went down in order in the top of the eleventh.

Bryan Ransom hit a lead-off single in the bottom of the final inning and was then replaced by Justin Ingram — who eventually stole second. Chase Haywood would get to first due to an infield error, which got Ingram to third, and Drew Loving followed with a pop fly.

Lee would go down in the count (1-2) before hitting his second ball of the night, which brought in Ingram and gave Richmond a 5-4 win over West Montgomery.

“We talked about it before the game, this was going to be a mental battle dealing with the cold,” coach Ricky Young said. “I was proud of the way we stuck in there, battled and was able to pull out the win.”

Richmond held a four-run lead after the fourth inning, but West Montgomery scored three runs on three hits in the top of the fifth and then tacked on another in the sixth to tie things up at 4-all.

Both teams got a hit in the seventh inning, but neither could capitalize on the respective opportunities — forcing the game into extra innings.

Richmond finished the game with 12 hits, while West Montgomery had 11.

Softball wins 5th straight

WADESBORO — The Lady Raider softball team is rolling after a convincing road win.

NaLee Jacobs, Jadyn Johnson, Savannah Lampley and Greyson Way each recorded two hits in order to help Richmond take down Anson 10-3 on Wednesday.

“They’re starting to find their comfort zone at the plate,” coach Wendy Wallace said. “We’re playing really well on defense, our pitching is solid and our hitting is coming around.”

Senior Mackenzie Ward pitched a complete game, ending with nine strikeouts, six hits, three base on balls and only one earned run. Lampley finished with three runs batted in for the game.

The Lady Raiders led 9-0 after the fifth inning thanks to a 2-RBI single and an RBI single from Way and Jacobs, respectively. Lampley would put them ahead 10-0 in the top of the sixth following an RBI single of her own.

Richmond (6-1) has a “big game” Friday against Marlboro Academy, who handed the Lady Raiders their only loss of the season so far. Marlboro pitcher Jenna Greene was a tough matchup in the circle during the teams’ first meeting.

“We have to work hard in practice and change our approach to be able to hit better against her,” Wallace said. “We’re getting ready for our conference play that starts next week.”

Girls soccer remains unbeaten

ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior girls soccer started off conference play on the right foot Wednesday night, as they took down Hoke County at home.

Cassie McFayden’s first-half goal got Richmond started and the team never looked back, as it held Hoke scoreless in a 3-0 victory. Jayana Nicholson and Emily Parsons both scored a goal in the second half.

“We played much better in the first half than the last three games,” coach Bennie Howard said. “It was a nice way to set the tone in the conference and begin at the forefront — instead of the back.”

Richmond (4-0-2, 1-0 SEC) travels to Whiteville on Friday.

Ellerbe boys, girls win openers

ELLERBE — The Ellerbe Middle School soccer teams kicked off their seasons on a winning note Tuesday afternoon.

The girls team blanked Carver 6-0, as Sheila Martinez netted a hat trick for the Lady Wildcats. Jeana Francisco, Rebecca Avalos and Jocelyn Mercado were the other goal scoreres for Ellerbe.

The boys soccer team also held Carver scorless, grabbing a 4-0 victory. Johan Chavez had two goals, while Cale Luckey and Alexus Colon each scored one. The Wildcats host East Hoke today at 4.

Ellerbe’s baseball and softball games at Rohanen, which were scheduled for Monday, have been rescheduled for this Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.

Leon Hargrove Jr. | Daily Journal Richmond Senior catcher Gordon Pihl makes his way to first base after making contact with the ball in the bottom of the third. Wednesday’s game would go into extra innings, as Jonathan Lee’s walk-off RBI single gave Richmond a 5-4 victory over West Montgomery.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_gordon-1.jpgLeon Hargrove Jr. | Daily Journal Richmond Senior catcher Gordon Pihl makes his way to first base after making contact with the ball in the bottom of the third. Wednesday’s game would go into extra innings, as Jonathan Lee’s walk-off RBI single gave Richmond a 5-4 victory over West Montgomery.

Leon Hargrove Jr. | Daily Journal Richmond Senior’s Josh Griffith’s throws a pitch in the top of the fourth inning. The senior pitcher would give up eight hits and strike out three batters during his time on the mound.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_griffith-1.jpgLeon Hargrove Jr. | Daily Journal Richmond Senior’s Josh Griffith’s throws a pitch in the top of the fourth inning. The senior pitcher would give up eight hits and strike out three batters during his time on the mound.
Richmond, West Montgomery go 11 innings

By Leon Hargrove Jr.

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