Republic scored first when Regan Butterworth singled home Austin Atkins in the 1st inning. Ozark took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 2nd, but Republic answered with three in the 3rd.
Chandler Coates reached on an error to lead off the inning. After Atkins grounded into a force out, Parker Nelson and Jake Smith walked to load the bases, then Butterworth walked to drive in a run. Ryan Cape singled home two more runs and the Tigers led 4-2.
Ozark cut the lead to 4-3 with a single run in the 4th inning, then tied the game in the 6th on a sacrifice fly, before winning it in the 8th.
Republic got a strong performance from starting pitcher Alex Reynolds, who allowed just four runs (only three of them earned) in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and allowed four hits, striking out one.
Parker Nelson pitched well in relief, but took the loss. He allowed one unearned run — the game-winner in the 8th — in in 2 1/3 innings of work. Nelson gave up three hits, walked one, and struck out two.
Ozark’s Collin Fraley pitched a complete game to get the win.
It’s the second loss of the season for Republic, who falls to 7-2. The Tigers host Branson Thursday.
