ROCKINGHAM — An early tie in Friday’s CCSSL game between Richmond and Scotland saw the two teams battle it out in the final couple of innings.
Despite scoring three runs in the sixth inning, the Renegades couldn’t overcome their deficit and dropped their third straight game, 10-8.
The loss, however, wasn’t without effort, Richmond head coach Rob Ransom noted.
“I’m really pleased with our effort,” Ransom said. “The boys’ attitude and enthusiasm was top-notch tonight. The whole team played hard, and I thought Jude Howard gave us some good innings to start the game.
“Walker Lambeth did well in his first pitching appearance this summer,” Ransom added. “He threw the ball well and we’re excited about what he can do for us. Ethan Locklear came in and pitched well in the end, and I was glad to see that after he struggled in his last outing.”
Howard, a rising senior, got the nod to start on the mound, and threw 3.1 innings. He allowed nine runs (five earned) on six hits and struck out two batters.
Rising junior Walker Lambeth made his debut during summer ball, pitching two-thirds of an inning and allowing an unearned run before a minor injury took him off the mound.
Closing out the final three innings was rising junior Ethan Locklear, who gave up no runs on three hits and led the way with three Ks.
Scotland jumped ahead 3-0 in the top of the first with an RBI single from Dylan Tucker and a two-RBI knock by Turner Bounds.
Answering with four runs of their own in the bottom half, the Renegades started by loading the bases with three straight walks against starting pitcher Ely McCoy. A sacrifice fly to right field by rising junior Ethan Clayton plated rising junior Ashton Phifer.
Two batters later with two outs, Lambeth smoked a double to the left-center gap, bringing home rising sophomore Isaac Hinshaw.
Capping the inning was a two-RBI single up the middle by rising senior Dexter Mabe, which scored rising senior Matthew Walker and Lambeth to make it a 4-3 Richmond lead.
Rising senior Jude Howard hurls a pitch during the first inning of Friday’s game. (Kyle Pillar)
Scotland retook the lead with two more runs in the second, using an RBI groundout from Garrett Manning and a wild pitch.
The Renegades knotted the score at five runs in the bottom half when rising senior Cody Eason (walk) stole home when rising sophomore James Eason (walk) swiped second and drew the throw down to the bag.
A four-run top of the fourth for Scotland, coupled with a solo tally in the fifth, put the visitors ahead 10-5 after four and a half innings.
Richmond’s bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth, closing the gap to just two runs, 10-8. Rising sophomore Cain Hunsucker led off with a single, and a walk to Phifer and a Hinshaw single loaded the bases with no outs.
Hunsucker scored when Walker grounded into a fielder’s choice to second base, and an infield single to third by Clayton in the next at-bat brought home Phifer.
With runners on the corners, Locklear grounded into a fielder’s choice to short, but collected an RBI when Walker raced home.
Richmond went down in order in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.
“Isaac had a big night with two hits, and a lot of the guys had better approaches at the plate,” Ransom said. “We had 12 strikeouts (Thursday) and only one tonight, which means we had a much better approach at the plate.
“I think we’re continuing to get better,” he added. “The results haven’t been what we want them to be, but our play is getting better.”
Richmond and Scotland both had nine hits. Clayton and Hinshaw both had two apiece for the Renegades, Howard and Lambeth each had a double, and Hunsucker, Mabe and rising sophomore Camron Seagraves all added a single.
Five Renegades recorded an RBI, with Clayton and Mabe leading the way with two. Lambeth, Locklear and Walker all had one.
“I’ve been pleased with some of the younger guys’ arms, we’ll have some players coming to us who can help us on the mound,” Ransom closed. “And there will be some guys who are going to compete for playing time next year.”
The Renegades (0-3) will look for their first win on Monday when they host Western Harnett in the first of another three-game set. Action will get underway at 7 p.m.
"close" - Google News
June 26, 2021 at 10:43AM
https://ift.tt/3jnLfaq
'Our play is getting better' as Renegades close series with loss to Scotland - The Richmond Observer
"close" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2QTYm3D
https://ift.tt/3d2SYUY
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "'Our play is getting better' as Renegades close series with loss to Scotland - The Richmond Observer"
Post a Comment