The Republic softball team won its 19th and 20th games of the season at the Springfield Invitational Tournament Friday. One was much easier than the other.
In the opener, Republic knocked off the Ozark JV team 9-2. Lauren Strobel had three hits, including two home runs, to power the Republic offense. Kami Holt and Emily Hall also had two hits apiecee.
Rachel Rook struck out 13 batters in just five innings before Marlee Scroggins came in to work the final two innings and close out the win.
In the second game, it took a big defensive play in the 7th inning to help the Lady Tigers hold on for a 1-0 victory over Eldon. Republic had scored its only run in the top of the first, after Strobel doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Holt. Rachel Rook was sterling again, striking out 14 batters and holding Eldon scoreless.
Lauren Strobel and Rachel Rook share Country Couture Player of the Game honors for both games. In the opener, Strobel homered twice. In the second game, she led off the game with a double and scored the Lady Tigers’ only run. Meanwhile, in the circle, Rook was dominant again. She struck out 27 batters in only 12 innings and picked up both victories.
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 biggest threat came in the bottom of the 7th, when Eldon got a double and a passed ball to put a runner on third base. With one out, the Mustangs attempted to squeeze the tying run home, but Lauren Strobel fielded the bunt and tagged out the runner. Rook struck out the next hitter to seal the victory.
Republic is 20-1 heading into the tournament quarterfinals Saturday morning against Waynesville.