The Richmond Red Devil baseball team ushered in the Mike Medley coaching era on Wednesday, April 2, by hosting longtime rival Connersville at McBride Stadium.
It was a back-and-forth battle.
The teams were tied at 2-2 after the first inning. The Spartans took a 3-1 lead in the top of the second inning. The Devils scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to build a 5-3 lead when Wyatt Kier doubled and Malachi Moore and Dominick McKinley also reached base, and all three scored. The Spartans lashed out six hits and scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead for good. Gavin Brannon delivered the big blow with a double. The Red Devils scored single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, leaving them one run short.
Connersville** (2-0) 2 1 0 0 0 5 0 ** 8
Richmond** (0-1) 2 0 3 0 0 1 1 ** 7
Connersville hits: Brannon (2), Kolton DeBoard, Brayden Keller, Parker Flanigan (2), Landon Lykins (2) —** Richmond hits**: Tyrel Brown, Jay Burdette, Zander Juday, Kier (2), Aiden McWhinney
The Richmond High School baseball team stands for the National Anthem before a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Zander Juday pitches during a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Zander Juday pitches during a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Corey Day bobbles a ball hit by Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Tyrel Brown throws to first for a double play as Connersville’s Brody Shearer slides into second base during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Members of the Richmond High School baseball team watch as Jayvian Burdette bats during a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Jayvian Burdette slides safely into second base as Connersville’s Kolton DeBoard catches the ball during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Jayvian Burdette slides safely into second base as Connersville’s Kolton DeBoard catches the ball during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Jayvian Burdette slides safely into third base during a baseball game against Connersville Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Jayvian Burdette slides safely into third base during a baseball game against Connersville Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Members of the Richmond High School baseball team celebrate a hit during a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Connersville’s Aaron Kidd pitches against Richmond during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Dominick McKinley skips a high pitch from Connersville’s Aaron Kidd as Brayden Keller catches the ball during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Corey Day watches as Richmond’s Jayvian Burdette fields a ball hit by Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Zander Juday watches as Malachi Moore scores against Connersville’s Brayden Keller, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Connersville’s Ayden Wenta pitches against Richmond during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Aiden McWhinney waits for the ball as Connersville’s Parker Flanigan dives back to first base during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Zander Juday pitches during a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Zander Juday pitches during a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Aiden McWhinney gets the throw as Connersville’s Gavin Brannon dives back to first base during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Members of the Richmond High School baseball coaching staff watch a game against Connersville Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Zander Juday pitches during a game against Connersville, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Connersville’s Brayden Keller tries to get a tag on Richmond’s Darwyn Roman at the plate during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Connersville’s Brayden Keller tries to get a tag on Richmond’s Darwyn Roman at the plate during a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
Richmond’s Jayvian Burdette slides into Connersville’s Brody Shearer at third base, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on John Cate Field at McBride Stadium in Richmond, Ind. 
A version of this article appeared in the April 9 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.