Jamie Richmond and two relievers combined on a five-hitter as Danville beat Elizabethton, 5-2, on Saturday to take Game 1 of the Appalachian League Championship Series.
Richmond (1-0), the league's Pitcher of the Year, gave up two unearned runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out a season-high nine and did not issue a walk.
The 20-year-old right-hander went 7-1 with a league-best 1.21 ERA during the regular season. He allowed nine earned runs in 67 innings over 14 appearances, including 12 starts, and opponents batted .210 against him.
