With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the 2nd inning, Marshfield loaded the bases with no outs. That’s when Rachel Rook went to work.
Rook struck out the next three batters on only 11 pitches, shutting down the rally and regaining the momentum for the Lady Tigers, who went on to a 9-1 win at home Tuesday night. Rook allowed just one unearned run, walking two and striking out seven. She allowed three hits in her seven innings of work, picking up the win.
Coach Lee Dishman says that kind of difficult start is something Rook will have to overcome against the best teams in the conference.
“Rachel’s got the ability to step it up another level when she needs to, but she’s got to be at that level all the time,” says coach Lee Dishman. “You’re not going to beat good teams like Nixa, Ozark, Webb City, Carthage; you’re not going to beat those teams if you put it in cruise control.”
The Lady Tigers got two hits apiece from Molly Zinecker, Lauren Strobel, and Morgan Cantrell. Strobel, Kami Holt, and Emily Hall all drove in runs for Republic, who took advantage of five Marshfield errors as well.
Republic improves to 2-1 overall. The Lady Tigers go on the road to Carthage Thursday.
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