LEXINGTON – Explosive third and fourth innings helped ensure Richmond’s varsity softball team wouldn’t have to labor long on Labor Day. Leading Lexington 1-0 after two innings, the Spartans ripped off six runs in the third and nine more in the fourth and finished with a 16-0 Missouri River Valley Conference East Division-opening road win. Play was stopped after four innings, rather than the usual seven for prep softball, because of mercy rules set by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. The ballgame clocked in at an hour and change. Unofficially, Richmond cranked out 17 hits in getting the win. There were eight Spartans with more than one hit. Those who helped power the attack included junior outfielder Sydney Appleberry, who finished with three runs scored, two hits and a walk. One of her hits was a leadoff double that led to her scoring the opening run in the second on a wild pitch. Offensively, the club played well, Appleberry said. “Hitting the ball … (was)…