Raider Field has been pretty good to the Richmond Senior baseball team so far in 2010: Coming into Tuesday night’s no conference game against New Hanover, the Raiders were 3-0 at home this season.

Unfortunately, that string came to an end Tuesday night as the Raiders fell to New Hanover, 7-3.

Richmond (3-4) struggled getting runs across the plate, as the Raiders stranded 10 runners.

That was the story of the game, according to Richmond coach Ricky Young.

“We got people in scoring position, but we couldn’t get them across,” Young said. “New Hanover did. They got the key hits, and we didn’t.”

The Raiders dug themselves an early 4-0 hole. In the top of the second, New Hanover got a walk from Sam Foy, a bloop single from Stephen Vaughan and a one-out walk from Bates Taylor to load the bases. Then Jack Faircloth hit a no-doubt home run over the right-field wall-a grand slam.

Richmond began to scratch back in its half of the second. The Raiders got a leadoff single from pitcher Cory Wallace. With one out, Jordan Rankin hit into a fielder’s choice, forcing Wallace at second. Ryan Jenkins then clubbed a double, scoring Rankin.

The Raiders had a prime opportunity to score again in the bottom of the third, as Jeremy Outen got on with a lead double. Richmond was unable to get him across, however. With two outs, Outen advanced to third on an Alex Dockery walk. But Wallace’s bid for a second consecutive hit was snuffed out as New Hanover right fielder Taylor made a shoestring catch of Wallace’s bloop fly.

Richmond scratched out another run in the bottom of the fourth. Catcher Garrett McInnis drew a lead walk, and moved to second on a Rankin single. With two outs, Outen reached on an error by the shortstop, scoring McInnis.

The Raiders inched closer in the bottom of the fifth when Alex Dockery hit a one-out solo homer to center. Richmond trailed 4-3.

New Hanover picked up another run in its half of the sixth. With one out, a walk and a single by Austin Godwin put runners at first and second. A Taylor bloop single scored the run.

The Raiders had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with two outs. A Hunter King walk, a hit batsman and a Rankin single loaded the sacks. But a strikeout ended the threat.

New Hanover added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh.

Richmond now shifts its focus to the Southeastern Conference campaign, which starts Friday night on the road at Hoke. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.



Contact sports editor David Vantress at 997-3111, ext. 14, or via email at dvantress@y ourdailyjournal.com.