ROCKINGHAM — With the bases loaded at the top of the eighth inning, and a 2-2 count with two outs, Marlboro Academy’s Sam Bryant blasted her only hit of the night over the wall — giving the visiting team a four-run lead.
Richmond’s Mackenzie Webb was able to strike out Haven Birchfield in order to get to the bottom of the extra inning, but Marlboro’s Jenna Greene stepped up to the mound and struck out three consecutive batters. And the Lady Raiders dropped their first game of the season, losing 4-0 at home.
Both teams struggled to hit the ball throughout Wednesday’s softball contest, as the game slowly turned into a duel between Ward and Greene. Ward allowed four runs on four hits with 11 strikeouts, while Greene gave no runs on two hits with 18 strikeouts.
“We faced a really good pitcher, probably one of the best pitchers we’ll face all year,” coach Wendy Wallace said. “She (Greene) just did a really good job of keeping us off speed and moving the ball in and out. I don’t think we ever really got comfortable.”
Richmond (1-1) wasn’t able to build off the success it had in its season-opening win, finishing with 12 less hits than it did Tuesday night. NaLee Jacobs was responsible for the Lady Raiders’ second and final hit, as she was able to get to second base as the lead-off batter in the seventh inning — although nothing came of it.
Kayla Hawkins’ bunt was caught, Peyton Fann struck out and Tori Mabe grounded out facing a full count in order to push the game to extra innings.
“We missed our opportunity. We couldn’t execute and move her over — and that made a difference,” Wallace added.
Two errors helped Marlboro’s Savannah Barber and Lindsay Hunter get on base in the top of the eighth. Ward threw four balls on the next at-bat, which put Regan Liles on first and loaded the bases for the Lady Dragons.
Bryant had grounded out and hit two fly balls before her late-game homerun.
“It was back and forth all night. It was going to come down to who got somebody on (base), who made a mistake or who got the timely hit,” Wallace explained. “We just have to recognize that we faced a really good pitcher early in the season and seeing that kind of pitching will help us later down the road. We just have to keep swinging and we’ll get better.”
The Lady Raiders travel to Jack Britt on Friday for a 4 p.m. non-conference game.
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Richmond Senior’s Mackenzie Ward, left, prepares for a pitch during Wednesday’s home game against Marlboro Academy.