A bloop double and an RBI single in the top of the 7th inning helped Ozark sneak past Republic 3-2 in a Central Ozark Conference game Tuesday evening. The game-winner by Cole Smith came after Republic had scored two runs in the 5th inning to climb out of a two-run deficit.
Ozark scored a run in the 3rd and a run in the 5th to take a 2-0 lead. Republic responded with four hits in the bottom of the 5th. The big blow was a two-run single by Chandler Coates, which scored Gus Bauer and Josh Gentry to tie the game.
In the bottom of the 6th, Republic’s first two batters hit the ball on the nose. Jansen McQuerter and Ryan Cape both lined out before Regan Butterworth grounded out to shortstop.
After Ozark scored in the 7th, the Tigers mounted one last rally. Landin Sigman ripped a double to right-center with one out, but a strikeout by Gus Bauer and a groundout by Gentry ended the game.
Andrew Fedge got the win for Ozark, pitching six innings and allowing two runs. Clayton Engel got the save. Chandler Coates took the loss.
The Tigers fall to 5-6. They travel to Branson for a COC game Thursday.
