RICHMOND — On any given day, any player can step up and help win a game for the Richmond baseball team.
It’s happened multiple times this season for the Bobcats, and it happened again Saturday in a 6-5 win over Old Orchard Beach in a Class C/D crossover game.
In this game, it was junior Ben Fournier who came through for the Bobcats (12-1). With the game tied 4-4 in the sixth inning, Fournier smacked a base hit through the right side of the infield, plating David Edwards and Zaden Steele to give the hosts a 6-4 lead. Fournier was 3 for 3 at the plate, including a double. He scored three runs and had three stolen bases.
“I know I’m quick, so I just look for the (steal) sign,” said Fournier. “And I make sure (the pitcher) doesn’t come back so I don’t get picked off. When his foot goes up (for the delivery), I just go.
“Our pitching is great, and our hitting is coming along, it’s been a lot better since the start of the season,” added Fournier. “We’re kind of coming through, near playoffs, playing (our best baseball).”
It’s not just Fournier who has come through for Richmond, which sits No. 2 in the Class D South standings, just under St. Dominic (13-1). Pitcher Rhys Terry had a strong start for Richmond, striking out five batters in six innings of work.
“It felt good (to get the win),” Terry said. “The defense made the plays it needed to make. We got some lucky double plays. … I feel like we’re a great fielding team (this season) and most of the lineup puts the ball in play.”
Richmond head coach Ryan Gardner was quick to point out the contributions of outfielder Jacob Gay, who laid down a key sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning to help set the table for Fournier’s two-run single.
“Jake Gay, that was a perfect bunt, got everything going,” Gardner said. “There’s a freshman (Steele) that takes a walk in a big-time situation. We got great pitching; Rhys gave us six great innings. We’re pleased. … We’ve got little things (to work on), but it’s a great group of kids.
“It can be somebody different (that delivers),” Gardner added. “Benny Fournier and Rhys were great (Saturday). A lot of the times it’s Kenny (Meachum) and (Hunter Mason), Wyatt (Cassidy). They just pick each other up.”
Catcher Hunter Mason added three hits for the Bobcats, including a double, and closed the game on the mound in the seventh inning.
Signs point to an eventual meeting with St. Dom’s in the playoffs, a team that has been a pain in the side of the Bobcats. The Saints are the two-time defending Class D champion and have knocked Richmond out of the playoffs in the semifinal round each of the past two seasons.
“In the last two years, we’ve been staring at each other,” Gardner said. “They got us in extra innings (last year) and in the seventh (inning) the year before. They’ve been a little luckier than us.”
“If we continue to hit and pitch like this, it’s going to be hard to beat us,” added Fournier.
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