ROCKINGHAM — Five runs in the sixth inning Friday fueled the Richmond Raiders to the third round of the state playoffs.
Hosting No. 11 Butler High School, the No. 6 Raiders and head coach Eric Brown won 5-0.
Caden Nolan pitched a complete game shutout and struck out 11 batters.
An RBI single by Evan Hodges in the sixth got Richmond on the board. That was followed by a two-RBI base knock from Devin Haynes.
Drew Gause scored on an error and Noah Stubbs connected for an RBI double.
Richmond is headed to the third round of the NCHSAA 7A state playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Click here to read a complete game story of the Raiders’ second round playoff win over Butler.
The No. 6 Raiders (19-6) will host No. 19 Ballantyne Ridge High School (11-17) in the third round Tuesday.
