Austin Beckner went 2-for-4 with a home run and pitched 4 2/3 innings to pick up the win on the mound, as the Republic Tigers knocked off Carl Junction 8-6 Thursday.
Beckner allowed five runs, but just one of them was earned, as the Tigers committed seven errors in the game. He struck out two and walked one.
Ragan Butterworth pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief to earn the save, allowing one unearned run. He was also 2 for 3 at the plate with two runs batted in. Jake Smith also had two hits for the Tigers.
Republic broke on top with a run in the 1st. After Carl Junction answered with a tally in the 2nd, Republic scored four more in the bottom of the inning.
The Bulldogs made it 5-2 after 2 1/2 innings, but the Tigers scored two more in the 3rd, then a single run in the 4th.
Republic’s shaky defense allowed the Bulldogs to climb back into the game at 8-6, but Butterworth shut the door with a scoreless 7th.
It was the first win of the year for Republic, who improved to 1-3.
