Two costly Republic errors led to four unearned runs for Rogersville in a 5-3 loss for the Tigers in their season opener.
Alex Reynolds, Jansen McQuerter, and Cole Hurst combined to allow just three hits in seven innings on the mound for Republic, but a three-run 1st inning for the Wildcats, and single runs in the 3rd and 4th, were too much to overcome.
In the top of the 1st, Rogersville capitalized on an error, a hit batsman, and a walk when Jordan Fitzpatrick cleared the bases with a two-out hit to center field.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Republic’s Chandler Coates walked, but was thrown out at the plate on a triple by Riley Crews. Crews came home to score when Dustin Eby reached on an error, and Eby scored on a single by Austin Beckner.
After Rogersville scored single runs in the 3rd and 4th innings, the Tigers put together a final rally in the bottom of the 6th. The Tigers had two on and nobody out when Coates singled to lead off and Ragan Butterworth reached on an error. But Riley Crews’ grounder up the middle was fielded by the shortstop for a double play. Smiley tripled home Crews on the next play, but that was the only run the Tigers would get.
Crews and Beckner each had two hits to lead the Tigers’ offense. The Tigers out-hit Rogersville 6-3.
Conner Pomering was the winning pitcher for the Wildcats. Tyler Chritton got the save. Alex Reynolds took the loss, pitching 3 1/3 innings and allowing one earned run on two hits and four walks. He struck out two.
The Tigers fall to 0-1 this season, and will host Webb City tonight.