ROCKINGHAM – The Varsity Raider Baseball team were unable to overcome the Ballantyne Ridge Wolves in the third round playoff, ending their dreams of bringing a playoff championship home.
The Raiders were able to hold the Wolves at bay towards the beginning of the game, preventing them from scoring in the first four innings. Senior Evan Hodges pitched the first four innings, allowing five hits, three runs (two of which were earned), one walk, and struck out three of their players. However, the Wolves started rallying in the fifth inning when they brought in three runs. The Raiders would change pitchers to Sophomore Devin Haynes, but he was also unable to keep them at bay. He pitched the final three innings, allowing one hit, three runs (one of which was earned), four walks, and struck out three of their players. The Wolves brought three runs in the final inning, which secured the win for them.
At bat, the Raiders also struggled to put pressure on the Wolves. In the first inning, Senior Jacob Veach was able to bring a run in, but it was the only point that Richmond was able to score. At one point, the bases were loaded in the favor of Richmond, but the Wolves would strike out the Raiders and the Raiders would not be able to bring in more runs. The Raiders also struggled to hit the ball, only having seven hits out of the 28 times that they were at bat.
This loss brings an end to the season of Raider Baseball, with a score of 6-1. The Raiders ended with a 19-7 overall score and 13-2 conference score, which makes them #1 in the Mid-South 7A/8A Baseball Conference Bracket.
Richmond Senior had several stat leaders in the Conference Bracket, which consists of six teams. Senior Caden Nolan is the stat leader for home runs, with a total of 5. Senior Hodges is the stat leader for runs batted in, with a total of 26. Senior Maddox Locklear is the stat leader for runs, with a total of 30. Senior Veach is the stat leader for on base percentage with a .588.