Republic scored five runs in the third inning to come from behind on Senior Night, knocking off Springfield Catholic 5-4 in the final home game of the season. The Tigers’ seniors combined for eight of the team’s nine hits, led by Ryan Cape and Chandler Coates with two apiece.
Republic fell behind early, committing three errors and giving up three runs in the first. They stormed back in the fifth with a five-run rally. Austin Atkins singled to lead off the inning and Cape delivered a one-out double. Atkins scored on a passed ball, and Regan Butterworth singled home Cape. With two outs, Coates singled, then Tyler Mackey drove home a run with a single. Creighton Thomas then drove home a run with a single to left field. Chaz Bowers delivered a hit next, before the inning finally ended.
Josh Gentry started for Republic, allowing four runs — none of them earned — in 5 2/3 innings pitched. He was the winning pitcher. Blake Messier pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings to pick up the save.
After the game, Republic honored eight seniors: Cape, Thomas, Coates, Jansen McQuerter, Butterworth, Mackey, Bowers, and Morris.
The whole class–they’re really good kids. They come from excellent families. They’re carrying that through with their lives,” says coach Howard Quigley. “They’ve been a joy coming out every day and practicing and working hard and understanding the game.”
Cape, who bats third and leads the team with a .342 batting average, says this week’s two victories — over Rogersville and Catholic — are important heading into the playoffs.
“That was definitely a confidence booster. We had two really good games against Webb City and Nixa, then we went to Marshfield and didn’t play so well,” he says. “It was really important for us to beat Rogersville and get our momentum going. We’ve got strong pitching going in… so we’re looking good going into districts.
The Tigers will open district play Saturday afternoon against Carthage at Joplin. Game time is 4 pm.
