Pitcher Rachel Rook threw a no-hitter and became the first Republic pitcher to cross the 300-strikeout threshold in a season, leading Republic to a 3-0 win over McDonald County in the district semifinals at Joplin Thursday. Rook struck out 14 batters and allowed only three baserunners–on a walk and two hit batters.
She did it all despite not being at the top of her game.
“To be honest with you, Rachel didn’t have her best stuff today,” says coach Lee Dishman. “She challenged the hitters and got ahead in the count. We made some plays behind her and she got her strikeouts that she normally gets. What else can you say?”
Listen to Rook’s 300th strikeout, then the final out of her no-hitter:
Republic took advantage of a shaky McDonald County defense to score their first two runs. In the first inning, Lauren Strobel led off with a one-hopper back to pitcher Paige Jones, but Jones threw the ball over the head of the first baseman and Strobel ended up at third base. Later in the inning, Kami Holt lined out to the shortstop and McDonald County would have doubled Strobel off, but a throwing error allowed her to score, making the score 1-0.
In the second inning, another McDonald County error set up a successful squeeze bunt by Marlee Scroggins, giving Republic a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Tigers scored their final run in the fourth, when Emily Hall led off with a single and courtesy runner Alexis Zaragoza scored on a two-out hit by Rook.
Rook now has 305 strikeouts this season. Thursday was also her 25th win of the season, tying her for 10th place all-time in Missouri for wins in a season by a pitcher. If she reaches 315 strikeouts, she will join the top ten all-time in that category, as well.
Rachel Rook left little doubt about who would be Country Couture Player of the Game in Republic’s district semifinal win. She struck out 14 batters (including her 300th of the season) and also had one of two Republic base hits. Oh, and she pitched a no-hitter, too.
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.
After the game, Rook had a hard time deciding whether she was happier about reaching 300 strikeouts or throwing the no-hitter.
“I don’t know. Probably the no-hitter. That’s a hard question,” she says.
Coming into the season, though, she didn’t expect to rack up strikeouts like she has, and she insists she’s not trying to strike people out.
“I didn’t even think I was going to break my record (249) from last year,” she says. “I didn’t really have a strikeout goal. I just throw the ball–they either don’t swing or they swing and miss.”
Rook and Hall had the only two base hits of the game for the Lady Tigers, who advance to the district championship game against Joplin Friday. Joplin beat Webb City 4-3 to improve to 22-7 and advance to the title game. Republic is 26-2.
“We’re going to have to hit the ball a lot better tomorrow night, but we’ll be ready,” says Dishman.
Republic Tiger Sports will broadcast the game live, starting at 4:30 pm.