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At this time of year, a team has to be good with a dash of luck thrown in as well to keep its state championship dreams alive.

The Richmond Senior baseball team managed to weave its way through the top half of the East Region bracket without meeting its archrival — Scotland.

The Fighting Scots could have been the Raiders opponent in the fourth round, but an Ashley victory the previous week erased those plans.

And that is where part of the luck comes in.

Scotland has been a thorn in the side of Richmond all season. The Raiders have six losses this year and three of them came at the hands of the Fighting Scots and the right arm of Curt Britt.

The future South Carolina Gamecock had been nearly unhittable against Richmond, posting two shutouts and allowing a single run in the SEC tournament championship game. He was poised to take the mound again for the fourth time and remain unbeaten this year vs. the Raiders.

There is an old sports adage that is always pulled out when needed saying it is tough to beat a team twice, three times, four times or however many times in season.

Even though pitchers Nic Bullard and Ryan Mercer have been spectacular throughout the postseason, surrendering just one run in 28 innings, the Raiders needed to avoid another contest with the Fighting Scots.

While the task of going through the Eagles for the right to advance to tonight’s regional championship series was not easy, it was better to battle fresh faces rather than stare into the same eyes of a team that knew it could beat you.

All of that is in the rear-view mirror and now four wins separate the Raiders from grabbing their fifth overall title and fourth 4A crown.

Four schools remain standing with the eventual winner more than likely receiving a fortunate call or bounce along the way. In any sport it always seems to be that way.

And when you need a little luck, it doesn’t hurt to wear some green, like the Raiders.

— Sports editor Shawn Stinson can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 14, or by email at sstinson@heartlandpublications.com