The Republic Tigers exploded for five runs in the 5th inning to put the game away in an 8-1 win over Parkview Thursday night. Parker Nelson had two hits, two runs scored, and two runs batted in to lead the Tigers offensively. Austin Beckner and Chandler Coates also drove in two runs apiece for Republic.
Beckner picked up the win on the mound, going four innings and allowing just one unearned run on two hits. He struck out four and walked two. Dustin Eby pitched a scoreless inning in relief before Chandler Coates came in to pitch the final two scoreless innings.
Republic scored a single run in the first when Nelson singled and scored on a hit by Beckner. The Tigers scored two more in the bottom of the 2nd. Eby walked, Alex Reynolds reached on a bunt hit, and Creed Smiley singled both of them home after they had advanced on a wild pitch.
Republic broke the game open in the 5th. Smiley led off with a single, then Nelson, Jake Smith, and Beckner walked, forcing in a run. The Tigers scored again on a groundout to make it 5-1. Cole Hurst singled home another run to make it 6-1. Then Coates drove in two runs with an RBI double to end the scoring.
The win wraps up the regular season for the Tigers, who will start district play Saturday at Webb City against Joplin. The Tigers are the #6 seed, and Joplin is #3.
