One of the pre-season questions about the 2015 Lady Tigers was, “How many records could this team break?”
Turns out the answer is, “At least one.” And that’s just on Opening Day.
The Lady Tigers exploded for a school-record 34 runs in a 34-0 win in three innings at Hollister in their first game of the season. (The old record, set in 1993, was 21 runs against Bolivar. The Lady Tigers had already broken that with no outs in the 2nd inning.) Republic’s 19-run 2nd inning is almost certainly a school record, too.
(The Missouri State High School Activities Association doesn’t list a record for runs in a game or runs in an inning.)
Everyone got in on the act for Republic, but Kami Holt had the biggest game of all. She was 3-for-5 with five runs scored and seven runs batted in. Her five runs tied Republic’s single-game record set by Cindy Wise in that 1993 game against Bolivar. Her seven RBIs tied the school record set by Sommer Rose in 2008. It’s also tied for 10th all-time in state history.
Caty Eby also had three hits for the Lady Tigers. She scored four runs and knocked in two.
Emily Hall was 2-for-3 with three walks and five RBIs. Lauren Strobel was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Sydney Phillips was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. Allie Stolte scored three runs and Allie McAtee knocked in three.
Rachel Rook had five RBIs herself, in addition to mowing down Hollister in the pitching circle. She struck out five in three innings and didn’t allow a hit, earning the win and improving to 1-0.
Kami Holt’s big day at the plate earned her Country Couture Player of the Game honors. All season long, Country Couture Boutique is sponsoring a player of the game for Lady Tigers softball. Stop in to their store across from Casey’s on Highway 174 for a complete selection of softball and other Tiger and Lady Tiger apparel.
The Lady Tigers look for their second win of the year when they travel to Monett Thursday night.