Republic mounted two late rallies, but couldn’t get the base hit it needed in a 3-2 loss to Hillcrest at home Tuesday night. The Tigers left 11 runners on base and wasted a strong outing by starting pitcher Jansen McQuerter, who allowed just two earned runs in seven innings.
Hillcrest scored a single run in the first inning and tacked on two more runs in the top of the 3rd to take a 3-0 lead.
Republic loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom of the 4th, but scraped together only one run. Landin Sigman lined out to center field with the bases loaded and none out. Chandler Coates walked to force home a run, and Josh Gentry grounded into a double play.
In the 6th, Ryan Cape and Regan Butterworth led off with back-to-back singles and advanced on a sacrifice by Gage Morris. Sigman grounded out to 3rd before Coates singled in a run.
In the bottom of the 7th, trailing 3-2, the Tigers threatened one last time. Gus Bauer and Austin Atkins both walked and McQuerter sacrificed them to 2nd and 3rd. The Hornets intentionally walked Ryan Cape to load the bases. Butterworth grounded to 3rd base and Hillcrest forced Bauer out at home, bringing Morris to the plate.
Morris crushed a long fly ball down the line in left field. It had home run distance, but the wind pushed it foul. A few pitches later, he popped up to end the game.
Morris and Butterworth had two hits apiece. Coates drove in two runs. Atkins was 1-for-2 with two walks.
McQuerter, pitching on his 18th birthday, struck out six batters in seven innings. He allowed just four hits and walked three.
Thomas Barrett picked up the win for Hillcrest, working six innings and allowing two earned runs, despite giving up seven hits and five walks. Devin Ryan pitched an inning in relief and got the save.
Republic falls to 3-4 overall. The Tigers play Aurora Thursday afternoon at 2 pm in the Willard Tournament.