In front of a packed house, in a playoff atmosphere, Ozark’s Brittany Nimmo outdueled Republic’s Rachel Rook to give Ozark a 1-0 win at Republic Monday night. Nimmo shut down Republic’s high-powered lineup, allowing just one hit and striking out ten.
Nimmo was almost matched by Rachel Rook, who allowed just one run in seven innings but suffered the loss. Ozark’s only run of the night came in the top of the 4th inning, when Bailey Elliott led off with a triple, then Madi Jamieson followed it up with a double. Republic avoided more trouble when Taylor Gold threw courtesy runner Bre Johnson out at the plate trying to score after an error by Rook.
Republic didn’t muster much offense against Nimmo, but their biggest threat came in the bottom of the 6th inning. Caty Eby reached base on an infield single and advanced to second when Kami Holt sacrificed. Lauren Strobel grounded out and Eby advanced to third, but Emily Hall hit a line shot right at the third basemen to end the inning.
In the top of the 7th, Rook pitched around a leadoff triple, assisted by a spectacular play by Abby Norris. Norris went to the fence in right center and plucked the ball out of the air while avoiding a collision with right fielder Molly Zinecker for the final out of the inning.
In the bottom of the 7th, Norris walked with one out, but was stranded there to end the game.
Afterwards, coach Lee Dishman had encouraging words for his team.
“I’m very proud of them. Who can’t have fun playing in the atmosphere we had tonight? Our stands were packed. Their stands were packed. It was a big game. We competed well,” he says. “We had runners in scoring position three or four different innings. We’ve just got to come up with one little hit here or there.”
“Rachel pitched it well. To hold this team to one run, four or five hits — they’re the best you’re going to see. And hopefully we’ll see them again.”
If Republic and Ozark do meet again in the post-season, it would mean both teams have won district championships. They wouldn’t play until the sectionals.
“I don’t see this as a loss. I see this as a gain tonight,” says Dishman. “We know we can compete with the best. We’re right there with them.”
Republic falls to 5-2. They play at Ozark in the Fall Festival Tournament this weekend, starting Friday with games against Rolla and Bolivar.