The Week Ahead: Regular seasons, postseasons continue for Richmond

ROCKINGHAM — As the school year and spring sports season approaches May, Richmond Senior High School’s programs continue their respective journeys this week.

The boys golf team and girls soccer team will both conclude regular season play, while the baseball and softball teams will begin their bids to win the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament.

Richmond’s boys tennis team and boys and girls track and field teams are also in the postseason and will continue to get ready for their respective 4A Mideast regional appearances.

No. 2 Raiders set for run at conference tournament title

Having finished with its best mark in the SAC since 2019, the Raider baseball team is carrying a three-game winning streak into the SAC tournament.

No. 2 Richmond (13-8) will begin its postseason play at home Monday (6 p.m.) in the opening round of the SAC tournament against No. 7 Hoke County High School (2-20).

In their past three games, the Raiders have thrown a trio of complete games — one each by James Eason, Jason Walker and Riley Brown. The Bucks haven’t won a conference game this season.

Should Richmond win, it would advance to the SAC tournament semis and host the winner of No. 3 Lee County and No. 6 Union Pines Tuesday.

No. 5 Lady Raiders to face No. 4 Lee County

The Richmond softball team is looking to end a season-long five-game losing streak in the first round of the SAC tournament.

No. 5 Richmond (6-10) will also begin its tournament Monday (6 p.m.) but travel to No. 4 Lee County High School (6-10).

The two teams had identical overall and SAC records, but the Lady Yellow Jackets took both games during the regular season over the Lady Raiders.

The winner of Monday’s game will make the trip to No. 1 Scotland High School (16-1) Tuesday, which has a first-round bye.

Lady Raider soccer on the road three times

Also hoping to get back in the win column, the Richmond girls soccer team enters its final week of the regular season on a three-game skid.

The Lady Raiders (7-9-3, 3-6-1 SAC) have dropped four of their last five contests and tied the other match.

Three matches remain in the regular season, all on the road, starting with non-conference Clinton High School (12-7) Tuesday.

That will be followed by two SAC matches at Scotland (2-12-1, 0-9 SAC) Thursday and at Lee County (15-4, 7-2 SAC) Friday. All three matches will begin at 6 p.m.

Raider golf to compete in final regular-season match

The Richmond boys golf team will play its final match of the season Monday at Pinehurst No. 7.

Improving each match as the season has unfolded, the Raiders will look to do that once again. The 18-hole match will also serve as the last chance for SAC teams and individual golfers to qualify for the 4A Mideast regional.

Richmond and its opposing golfers will tee off in shotgun format starting at 2 p.m.

Boys tennis, track and field teams prep for regionals

Juniors Jordan Jacobs and Matthew Leggett qualified for the NCHSAA boys tennis doubles postseason by taking second place in the SAC tournament.

The two Raiders will continue to prepare for the 4A Mideast regional, which will be held Friday and Saturday at Jordan High School.

Richmond’s boys and girls track and field teams competed in the SAC championship meet Friday (final results not available at the time of publication).

With several competitors on both teams qualified for the postseason, they will continue training for the NCHSAA 4A Mideast regional on May 11 at Pinecrest High School.

Sports editor’s note: Articles of the Raider and Lady Raider track and field teams’ results from the SAC championship will be published once they’re made available.