The Lady Tigers haven’t had much need for comebacks this season. But when they needed one in a roller-coaster game Thursday at Willard, they got it.
Republic overcame a late deficit in the 6th, blew a lead in the 7th, then won the game 4-3 on an 8th-inning RBI single Ally Stolte. The win kept Republic undefeated in the Central Ozark Conference at 4-0, and improved the Lady Tigers’ record to 15-1 overall.
In a showdown between two of the COC’s best teams, Republic struck first. In the top of the 2nd inning, Stolte tripled to right field and scored on a throwing error to give the Lady Tigers a 1-0 edge.
Willard took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd with a pair of runs, but Republic fought back in the 6th. Lauren Strobel led off with a double, and when Caty Eby laid down a sacrifice bunt, Willard threw the ball away, allowing Strobel to score. Eby advanced to third base on the error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kami Holt.
In the bottom of the 7th, Rachel Rook had Willard down to its last out before a single drove in the tying run to force extra innings.
Republic answered immediately in the top of the 8th. Kami Holt reached on a one-out error, and after Emily Hall popped out, Sydney Phillips drew a walk. Stolte followed with a single to left field, scoring Holt.
Rook had to pitch out of trouble again in the bottom of the 8th. She hit the leadoff batter and allowed a one-out single, putting the tying run in scoring position. But Rook struck out the next hitter and got the final out on a grounder to first baseman Marlee Scroggins to secure the victory.
Ally Stolte picked up the Lady Tiger offense and carried it on her shoulders Thursday night. She had three of the team’s five hits, scored the first run of the game on a triple and an error, then delivered the game-winning hit in the top of the 8th inning. For her performance at the plate, she’s the Country Couture Player of the Game.
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.
Stolte led the Lady Tiger offense with three of their five total hits. Sydney Phillips was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks.
Rachel Rook allowed an uncharacteristic ten hits, but struck out ten and walked only one. She allowed three runs–two of them earned–in eight innings. She now has 155 strikeouts this season in 95 innings pitched.
Republic is home Friday for a game against Kickapoo. They pick up COC play again next Tuesday when they host Webb City.
